| Alloy Artifacts |
Japan has a long history of fine craftsmanship in tool making going back hundreds of years. Although the country was late to industrialize, after opening up to the West in the 1870s Japan rapidly built an industrial economy, with special strength in heavy industries such as shipbuilding. In the post-war era Japan developed an export-oriented economy and became a dominant supplier in areas such as cameras, consumer electronics, automobiles, and robots.
As would be expected from these industrial capabilities, Japanese toolmakers can produce tools that rank with the finest available anywhere. However, some Japanese tools are not readily available outside their home market, and the examples available here at Alloy Artifacts are generally limited to those produced for export to the U.S. market. For this reason our site cannot do justice to the full range of Japanese toolmaking.
When looking through the examples here, keep in mind that most of these tools are much more recent than the tools in other parts of this site. Currently our oldest Japanese tools barely go back to the 1950s, and many of the others are probably from the 1970s or later.
Most of the companies listed here maintain a website, some of which offer an English section, but otherwise in Japanese only. English speakers can make use of Google Translate or other machine translations, but the language and cultural differences will inevitably lead to some unexpected or confusing results.
Spanners and more. Japan's early industrial development was heavily influenced by Great Britain, and some British terms are still in wide use. For example, open-end wrenches are called "spanners" in Japan, and this term may come up in translations. Most of our readers are probably already familiar with spanners, and if we asked for a ring spanner, most would hand us the box-end wrench.
But how about an eyeglasses wrench? In Japan a box-end wrench is めがねレンチ ("megane renchi"), literally "eyeglasses wrench". Depending on the context available, some machine translations will occasionally spit out an eyeglasses wrench.
Monkey Wrenches. Another unexpected term is the usage of "monkey wrench". In America a monkey wrench usually means a wrench with jaws at right angles to the shank, with the lower jaw moving parallel to the shank. But in Japan the term "monkey wrench" is a synonym for a Crescent-style adjustable wrench.
Trading Companies. The histories of Japanese tool companies often mention the establishment of a "trading company". In America the term "trading company" usually means a financial company trading stocks and bonds, or perhaps agricultural commodities like corn and soybeans.
The issue comes down to the translation for kanji 商社 (shōsha) in the context of tools, which our CWC Japanese source says is a distributor, but which Google Translate renders as "trading company". For now we will call this a distributor.
We're currently trying to clarify whether the tool companies have set up an actual distributor operation that handles tools from other companies as well, or if it's more like a sales and marketing organization for their own products.
Company, Ltd. Company histories may sometimes mention a reorganization leading to a name followed by "Company, Ltd.", which is a translation for 株式会社 ("kabushikigaisha"), meaning a public company trading on the stock market. (Written Japanese actually includes the special character ㈱ as an abbreviation for these four kanji, formed by taking the first character and putting parentheses around it.)
On this site we generally don't care whether companies are public or private, unless it affects the markings on their tools, and so we will often drop the "Company, Ltd." for brevity.
Under Japanese law products made for export must be marked "Japan" to show the country of origin, but this marking is optional for domestic production. This means that if a Japanese tool is found in the US without a "Japan" marking, it was originally made for domestic use and then accidentally or informally exported later.
Photographs and observations of particular tools are based on items in the Alloy Artifacts collection.
Historical information on Japanese tool companies can be found (in Japanese) at the コンビネーションレンチ･コレクション Combination Wrench Collection [External Link] web site. We will refer to this reference as "CWC" in the text.
The company was founded in 1935 by Takejiro Aiba (相場竹治郎) as the Aiba Copper and Iron Shop (相場銅鉄店) and operated in the scrap metals industry.
By 1945 the company had become a steel wholesaler.
In 1963 the company established the Aiba Sangyō Co., Ltd. (相場産業) under president Tetsuo Aiba (相場鉄夫). The company began manufacturing agricultural equipment and wrenches, which were sold under the "ABC" brand.
In 1984 the company received JIS certificate 384052 for class B4632 (box-end wrenches). The record for this certification can be seen in the 1999 JIS Summary for Super-Class B027.
In 1988 the company began forging titanium alloys and produced titanium wrenches.
In 2011 the company developed the RUNWELL brand for bicycle parts and tools and entered the bike racing industry.
The company remains in business today and more information can be found at the Aiba Sangyō [External Link] website.
In 1984 Aiba Sangyō received JIS certification in class B4632.
The factory location is 1691-5 Kaneko Shinden Otsu, Sanjō City, Niigata Prefecture.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
AIGO Kōgyō (相伍工業) was a maker of wrenches and other tools operating in Niigata Prefecture. The company was founded in 1928 and closed in 2011.
The company was initially founded in 1928 by Gosaburo Aida (相田五三郎) as the Aida Iron Works, and manufactured forged agricultural tools at a factory in Sanjō City, Niigata prefecture.
After the war ended, in 1945 the company became the AIGO Noki Seisakusho (AIGO Agricultural Machinery Works). The name "AIGO" was formed from the first syllables of the founder's name, so that AIda GOsaburo became AIGO.
In 1950 company was listed on the stock market.
In 1958 the company began to make power tools, and in 1960 the name was changed to the AIGO Kōgyō Company, Ltd.
On February 1, 1966 the company received JIS certificate 366008 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches). The record for this certification can be seen in the 1967 Certified List for Class B4630.
In 1967 the company received JIS certification for "H" (heavy-duty) and "S" (spear shaped) wrenches, but due to data limitations we don't have a record of this.
In addition to making tools for its own brand, AIGO did extensive contract production for other companies, notably for the "Truecraft" brand of the Daido Corporation U.S.A., as well as many other U.S. brands.
AIGO typically marked its wrenches with a distinctive two-line manufacturer's code, with one or two alphabetic characters on the top line and two numbers on the lower line. The presence of a code in this form provides reasonably certain identification of AIGO as the maker of a tool.
AIGO supplied Truecraft combination wrenches probably beginning in the mid 1960s, and flex-box combination wrenches beginning in 1968. Production of Truecraft flex-box combination wrenches continued until the late 1990s or early 2000s.
In addition to Truecraft, brands known to have been produced by AIGO include Bernzomatic, Cen-Tech, Chicago Industrial, Chicago Pneumatic, Globemaster, KAL, and Tatools.
The company's history notes the 1969 construction of a factory in Niigata to increase forging capacity, but we think this was probably an expansion of the existing Shinbo facility.
In 1973 the company received JIS certificate 373112 for class B4632 (box-end wrenches), but we don't have a JIS record for this. A later record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 JIS Summary for Class B4632.
On October 4, 1974 the company received JIS certificate 374091 in class B4604 (adjustable wrenches), with notes indicating fully-forged production, 23° jaw angle, and "H" (heavy) grade. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1975-01 Monthly Report for JIS 374091.
In 1975 Akio Aida (相田明雄) became president after the death of the founder.
In 1977 the company opened a new factory in 2153-5 Tsukanome in Sanjō City, and moved the head office to the new factory location.
On February 22, 1978 the company received JIS certificate 373112 for class B4632 at the new factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 JIS Summary for Class B4632.
On February 22, 1978 the company received JIS certificate 374091 for class B4604 at the new factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 JIS Summary for Classes B4604 and B4606.
On February 13, 1979 the company received JIS certificate 366008 for class B4630 at the new factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 JIS Summary for Class B4630.
In 1983 the company installed NC milling machines and other equipment to automate the die-cutting process.
In 1991 the company installed CAD/CAM tools to improve its design capabilities.
The company closed in 2011, and its last address was 2153-5 Tsukanome, Sanjō City, Niigata prefecture.
Our information on the company history was adapted from the CWC Japanese website and from an archived web page of the company's profile. The CWC website has an extensive article on AIGO's contract production on their AIGO OEM Edition [External Link] web page.
AIGO registered several Japanese trademarks, as noted in the table below.
The early trademark #35-188 was for an interesting logo used by the company, which consisted of five "5" numerals arranged inside a circle. Five in Japanese is "Go", so this logo could be read as "Go-Go", perhaps a play on the founder's name.
| Text Mark or Logo | Reg. No. | Date Filed | Date Issued | Notes and Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| [5-5-Circle logo] | 35-188 | 07/17/1959 | 01/07/1960 | Earlier version of 5-5-Circle logo. |
| AigoNoki | 35-9736 | 07/17/1959 | 05/19/1960 | |
 |
40-585 | 01/14/1965 | "AIGO" in an oval outline | |
 |
58-94000 | 06/24/1980 | 12/08/1983 | 5-5-Circle logo, five "5" numerals in a circle. |
AIGO is known to have received JIS certifications for several classes, including B4604 (adjustable wrenches), B4630 (open-end wrenches), B4632 (box-end wrenches), and B4651 (combination wrenches).
Factory locations were in Shinbo (新保) and Tsukanome (塚野目), both in Niigata prefecture.
The company provided JIS-certified contract production for adjustable wrenches (class B4604) and open-end wrenches (B4630), with "AI" as its JIS ID mark.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
Tools made by AIGO were typically marked with the AIGO-Oval trademark #40-585.
Contract production by AIGO can sometimes be identified by forged-in codes on the shank. AIGO's codes consist of two lines, with an alphabetic character (typically B, D, or F) on the top line, and two numbers on the lower line.
The scan in Fig. 1 shows the 5-5-Circle logo as it was presented for the Japanese trademark #58-94000.
![[AIGO 15mm Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/aigo_c15mm_wrench_parallel_alloy_japan_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 2 shows an AIGO 15mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "AIGO" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "B 15-3" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 7.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
The top inset shows an edge view of the wrench, illustrating the small bend in the shank to provide an offset for the box end.
AIGO did extensive contract production for the "Truecraft" brand managed by the Daido Corporation U.S.A., with production dates ranging from the mid 1960s to the early 2000s.
![[AIGO Truecraft 1108 8mm Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/truecraft_c8mm_1108_wrench_parallel_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 3 shows an [AIGO] Truecraft 1108 8mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "B 8-85" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 4.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 8-85" code. Note that the shank has a small bend near the box end to provide the offset angle.
The numeric model number and plain Truecraft marking suggest production from around 1975 to the early 1990s.
![[AIGO Truecraft B423B 11mm Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/truecraft_c11mm_b423b_wrench_panel_japan_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 4 shows a Truecraft B423B 11mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Tool Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "B 11-38" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 5.1 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 11-38" code. Note that the shank has a small bend near the box end to provide the offset angle.
The Truecraft alphabetic-prefix model number suggests production from the late 1960s to around 1975.
![[AIGO Truecraft B434B 22mm Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/truecraft_c22mm_wrench_parallel_japan_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 5 shows a Truecraft [B434B] 22mm combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Tool Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "B 22-6" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 11.2 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 22-6" code. One construction detail to note is that the shank has a small bend near the box end.
Note that this wrench is not marked with a model number, but would have been model B434B in Truecraft's alphabetic-prefix model number system. The absence of a model number here is probably accidental, possibly due to a misunderstanding of what markings were required during the early production phase.
![[AIGO Truecraft B717 17mm Flex-Box Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/truecraft_cf17mm_b717_wrench_oval_japan_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 6 shows a Truecraft B717 17mm flex-box combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Chrome Vanadium Drop Forged" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "B 17-1" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 10.2 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "B 17-1" code.
The alphabetic-prefix model number indicates production up to around 1975.
![[AIGO Truecraft B719B 19mm Flex-Box Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/truecraft_cf19mm_b719b_wrench_parallel_japan_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 7 shows a Truecraft B719B 19mm flex-box combination wrench with parallelogram panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the metric size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Tool Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "B 19-2" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 10.3 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO by the forged-in "B 19-2" code, with the "B" indicating the raised parallelogram panels.
The Truecraft alphabetic-prefix model number indicates production up to around 1975.
![[AIGO Truecraft 1312 3/8 Flex-Box Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/truecraft_cf12_1312_wrench_oval_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 8 shows a Truecraft 1312 3/8 flex-box combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Truecraft" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "F 1-9" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 7.4 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "F 1-9" code.
The numeric model number and plain "Truecraft" marking suggest production from around 1975 to the early 1990s.
![[AIGO Truecraft 1318 9/16 Flex-Box Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/truecraft_cf18_1318_wrench_oval_hexlogo_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 9 shows a later Truecraft 1318 9/16 flex-box combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with the "Truecraft" Hex logo and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Drop Forged Truecraft" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "F 4-46" visible to the left of the back panel, and shown as a close-up in the small inset.
The overall length is 10.3 inches fully extended, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
This wrench can be identified as production by AIGO Kōgyō by the forged-in "F 4-46" code.
The "Truecraft" Hex logo marking suggests production in 1994 or later.
AIGO provided contract production for a number of U.S. and international brands.
![[AIGO Chicago Industrial 9/16 Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/chicago_industrial_c18_wrench_panel_alloy_japan_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
Fig. 10 shows a Chicago Industrial 9/16 combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Chicago Industrial" and the fractional size on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The shank also has a forged-in code "F 4-72" visible at the left of the back panel.
The overall length is 6.6 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
The top inset shows a profile view of the wrench, illustrating the bend in the shank to provide an offset for the box end.
This wrench can be identified as AIGO production by the forged-in code "F 4-72", with the "F" code indicating a raised oval panel.
The company was founded by Kojiro Annaka (安中幸二郎) in Hiraoka, Osaka as a maker of adjustable wrenches.
On May 13, 1952 the company received JIS certificate 1448 for adjustable wrenches (class B4604). The record for this certification can be seen in the 1952-09 Monthly Report for Class B4604.
By 1967 the company had received JIS certification for "H" grade, and also reported products with only the lower jaw forged. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1967 Certified List for Classes B4604/B4606.
The company is known to have provided adjustable wrenches to Nissan and other companies. These wrenches were typically marked "Partial Forged" with a JIS "P" suffix.
In some cases JIS-certified contract production was marked with a forged-in logo showing the kanji for the company name, which can be regarded as dual-branding.
On March 5, 1984 the company released its JIS 1448 registration and is assumed to have closed shortly afterwards. The record for the JIS release can be seen in the 1984-07 Monthly Report for JIS 1448 Release.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
In 1960 the factory moved to Higashi-Uradate in Sanjō City, and in 1961 began making forged tools.
In 1973 the company was reorganized as Kawahiro Tankōsho (川広鍛工所), and the factory relocated to Shimoda-mura in the Minamikanbara District of Niigata Prefecture (新潟県南蒲原郡下田村).
In 1978 the company changed its name to ARM Sangyō (アーム産業).
In 1979 the company began producing pliers and bolt clippers.
On May 27, 1980 the company received JIS certificate 380043 for side-cutting pliers in class B4623 at the Shimoda factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 Certified List for Class B4623.
The company later received JIS certifications for classes B4631 and B4635, which by 1999 had been consolidated into JIS 380043. The record for the consolidated certifications can be seen in the 1999 Summary for Super-Class B010.
On April 14, 1987 the company received JIS certificate 387005 for bolt clippers in class B4643. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1999 Summary for Super-Class B090.
ARM Sangyō is known to have produced side-cutting pliers for the Truecraft brand run by the Daido Corporation.
In 1991 the company began making pipe wrenches, and on November 18, 1992 the company received JIS certificate 392057 for pipe wrenches in class B4606. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1999 Summary for Super-Class B013.
On December 14, 2007 the company received JQA certificate JQ0307055 for class B4606.
The company continues in business and more information can be found at the ARM Sangyō [External Link] website. We adapted our history from the timeline on the company's website.
| Text Mark or Logo | Pub. No. | Reg. No. | Date Issued | Notes and Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
2003-002074 | 4693520 | 08/19/2003 | "ARM" stylized in an oval outline. |
The factory location is in Shimoda.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
Tools from ARM Sangyō will typically be marked with the stylized "ARM" logo.
Contract production by ARM Sangyō can be recognized by a production code beginning with a stylized "A" matching the leading "A" in the ARM trademark. The "A" is followed by a digit and letter, which may represent a year and month date code.
![[ARM P-200 200mm Lineman's Side-Cutting Pliers]](Photos/tools/arm_pliers_p200_linemans_jis_a4a_f_cropped_inset4_w2048.jpg)
Fig. 11A shows a pair of ARM P-200 200mm side-cutting pliers, stamped with the "ARM" logo and model number around the pivot, with "Japan" and the JIS-Circle logo below.
The pliers are also marked with an "A4A" code on the back, as seen in the small upper inset. Note that the leading "A" has been stylized with a small hook at the bottom of the left leg and a rounded upper shoulder.
The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the angled facets of the head.
The overall length is 8.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel with plastic hand grips.
The inseam between the handles has serrations to assist with crimping wire splices.
The JIS marking refers to JIS 380043, first received by the company in 1980.
ARM Sangyō was a supplier for the Truecraft brand managed by the Daido Corporation.
![[Truecraft 358 8 Inch Lineman's Side-Cutting Pliers]](Photos/tools/truecraft_pliers_358_linemans_a8a_japan_f_cropped_inset5_w2048.jpg)
Fig. 11 shows a later pair of Truecraft 358 8 inch side-cutting pliers, stamped with "Truecraft" and the model number around the pivot, with an "A8A" production code and "Japan" on the back side.
The small upper inset shows a close-up of the "A8A" code. Note that the leading "A" has been stylized with a small hook at the bottom of the left leg and a rounded upper shoulder.
The overall length is 8.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel.
The inseam between the handles has serrations to assist with crimping wire splices.
The stylized "A" in the production code allows us to identify ARM Sangyō as the maker of the pliers, based on the matching stylization of the leading "A" of the ARM-Oval Trademark.
The Truecraft all-numeric model number indicates production in 1977 or later. ARM Sangyō received JIS certification for side-cutting pliers in 1980, so these pliers were probably made in the 1980s or 1990s. (The trailing digit and letter of the production code may be a date code, but we are unsure of the interpretation.)
These pliers were acquired with red plastic hand grips, but the grips were in poor condition and were removed for replacement. We plan to install new grips using heat-shrink tubing.
Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō (旭金属工業) produces wrenches and other tools under the "Asahi Tools" brand and currently operates in Tsubame, Niigata Prefecture, Japan.
The company began in 1931 as the Miyano Company, a seller of iron pipe fittings operating in Minamidori, Shinmachi, Osaka.
In 1935 the company was reorganized as the Asahi Kōgu Seisakusho and began manufacturing wrenches.
In 1949 the company established Asahi Kinzoku as a spanner specialty distributor, which in 1951 was reorganized to establish the Asahi Kinzoku Company, Ltd.
In 1954 the manufacturing division was separated as the Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō Company, Ltd. in Fuse City, Osaka Prefecture.
On August 27, 1958 the company received JIS certificate 6159 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches) at the Fuse factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1958-10 Monthly Report for JIS 6159. (The monthly report provides only a range of dates, but the exact date was found in the 1962 CL.) [Editor's note: this certification is not mentioned in the company's history.]
In March of 1960 the company relocated its main factory to 671 Minamikimoto in Yao City, Osaka Prefecture (大阪府八尾市南木本671).
On June 6, 1961 the company received JIS certificate 8117 for class B4630 at the Yao factory, in both "N" and "H" grades. The record for this certification can be seen in the section on the 1962 JIS Summary for Class B4630. [Editor's note: get the MR for this certification.]
The older factory at Fuse continued to operate for some time after the new factory opened, and JIS 6159 at Fuse was still listed in the 1962 Certified List.
In 1970 the company established Shin Nihon Kōgu (新日本工業 ) as a sales subsidiary, and Shin Nihon Kōgu registered "S.N.T" (abbreviating "Shin Nihon Tool") as a trademark.
Although initially just a sales subsidiary, by the mid 1970s Shin Nihon Kōgu was operating its own factory at 1-16 Kitakinomoto in Yao City (大阪府八尾市北木の本1丁目16番地). We discovered this in the JIS 1982 Certified List, which has certifications for socket tools for Shin Nihon Kōgu.
On September 29, 1975 Shin Nihon Kōgu received JIS 575083 for classes B4636, B4637, and B4639 at its Kitakinomoto factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 Certified List for Classes B4636, B4637, and B4639.
On June 25, 1976 Shin Nihon Kōgu received JIS 576032 in classes B4638, B4640, and B4641 at the Kitakinomoto factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 Certified List for Classes B4638, B4640, and B4641.
These certifications show that the "sales subsidiary" was operating independently, and actually was certified for a broader range of socket tools than the parent!
On July 21, 1976 Asahi received JIS certificate 576049 in classes B4638 (spinner handles) and B4641 (ratchet handles) at the Yao factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the section on the 1982 Certified List for Classes B4638, B4640, and B4641. [Editor's note: get the MR for these certifications.]
Based on research done by the CWC site, in 1981 Shin Nihon Kōgu formed Shin Nihon Tankō by acquiring a factory from the Kita Nihon Tanzo Company, a maker of wrenches operating at Higashi-Irifune in Niigata City. This set the stage for a merger that brought Asahi to Niigata Prefecture.
In 1982 Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō acquired Sanjō Asahi and Shin Nihon Tankō, both in Niigata Prefecture. Asahi continued to operate the factory at Higashi-Irifune acquired with Shin Nihon Tankō, and on April 1, 1982 JIS 372165 was transferred from Shin Nihon Tankō to Asahi.
After beginning operations in Niigata at Higashi-Irifune, Asahi built a new factory at Yoshida-cho, Nishikanbara-gun, Niigata Prefecture. Soon afterwards the company moved its head office factory to Yoshida-cho.
Over the next few years the company received JIS certifications for classes B4630, B4632, and B4636-B4641 at Yoshida-cho.
A civic reorganization in Niigata later made Yoshida-cho part of the city of Tsubame, and in 2007 the company absorbed its Shin Nihon Kōgu sales subsidiary and consolidated manufacturing and sales with the head office in Tsubame.
Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō currently offers the Revowave line of tools with ergonomic design, and a LIGHTOOLS line of wrenches with cutout handles to minimize weight.
The company maintains a website (in Japanese, English, and Chinese) at Asahi Tools [External Link]. Our history was adapted from the historical timeline on the Japanese website and from the CWC website.
| Text Mark or Logo | Pub. No. | Reg. No. | Date Issued | Notes and Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
27-8785 | 02/21/1952 | "ASH" stylized in a circle.
Filed by Asahi Kinzoku Company, Ltd. |
|
 |
44-31483 | 09/11/1969 | "ASH" in a hexagon.
Sometimes displayed without periods. Asahi Tools 1/2 Combination Wrench. |
|
 |
H3-16478 | 2361773 | 02/15/1991 | "Asahi" stylized. |
 |
H3-16478 | 2361773 | 02/15/1991 | "Asahi" in a bold font. (Variant form) |
 |
2006-1499 | 4980561 | 08/18/2006 | Text "Revowave" stylized. |
The company received a number of JIS certifications for class B4630, as manufacturing took place in multiple factories and each location needed to be certified. Later certifications covered classes B4632 and B4651, as well as socket tools in classes B4636-B4641.
Factory locations were in Fuse and Yao in Osaka prefecture, and later in Yoshida-cho (now Tsubame) in Niigata prefecture.
View Company History with Factories for Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō.
View JIS Certification Events for Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō.
Shin Nihon Kōgu received JIS certifications in classes B4636-B4641, with the factory location at Kitakinomoto in Yao City.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
Tools from Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō are typically marked "Asahi Tools" with the ASH-Hex logo, or with one of the other trademarks noted in the table above.
Note though that "Asahi" is a very popular brand in Japan for everything from beer to newspapers, and there are known to be other "Asahi Tools" markings unrelated to Asahi Kinzoku Kōgyō. Thus the ASH-Hex logo (or another trademark) will be a more reliable indicator of the company's production.
The scan in Fig. 12 shows the ASH-Hex logo as it was presented for the Japanese trademark #44-31483.
The trademark logo intentionally omits the period following the "H", although this final period was sometimes marked on tools.
![[ASH-Hex Logo]](Photos/tools/asahi_ash_hex_logo.jpg){kind=logo}
Fig. 13 shows the ASH-Hex logo as found forged into the shank of an Asahi Tools 36x41mm Offset Box-End Wrench.
![[Asahi Tools 36x41mm Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/asahi_db3641mm_wrench_offset_cv_f_cropped_inset2.jpg)
Fig. 14 shows an Asahi Tools 36x41mm offset box-end wrench, marked with "Asahi Tools" and the ASH-Hex logo forged into the front, with "Chrome-Vanadium" and a "40-77" code forged into the back side.
The metric sizes are stamped with "41" on the front and "36" on the back.
The overall length is 18.4 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.
The absence of a "Japan" marking on this tool indicates that it was originally produced for the Japanese domestic market.
![[Asahi Tools 1/2 Combination Wrench]](Photos/tools/ash_c16_wrench_panel_japan_f_cropped_inset2_w2048.jpg)
Fig. 15 shows an Asahi Tools 1/2 combination wrench with raised oval panels, stamped with "Asahi Tools" and the ASH-Hex logo on the front panel, with "Forged Alloy Steel" and "Japan" on the back panel.
The wrench is also marked with a "7-43" production code forged into the back side.
The top inset shows a side view of the wrench. Note that the angled offset for the box end was produced by forging rather than by bending the shank.
The overall length is 5.9 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished faces.
Daiichi Kōgyōsho (第一工業所) was a maker of adjustable wrenches operating in Edogawa, Tokyo.
The company was founded in 1939 as a maker of railway equipment and began producing wrenches after the war, with a factory at 2-658 Nishikohirogawa, Edogawa-ku, Tokyo.
The company's adjustable wrenches were sold under the "Victor" and "Lion" brands, both of which were trademarks of Yuasa Hardware, a major distributor of metal products.
On June 28, 1951 the company received JIS certificate 654 for adjustable wrenches in class B4604 and was one of the first five companies to be certified in this class. The record for this certification can be seen in the section on the Monthly Report 1952-01 for Classes B4604 and B4605.
Daiichi Kōgyōsho released its JIS certification in 1984 and the company is presumed to have closed at that time.
Our history of the company is based on information from the CWC website.
Daiichi Kōgyōsho received JIS certification for class B4604 at its Edogawa factory.
The company used "DIMF" as its JIS ID code, presumably an abbreviation of Dai Ichi Manufacturing.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
![[Victor No. 270 150mm Adjustable Wrench]](Photos/tools/victor_adj_270_wrench_crmo_jis_dimf_japan_f_cropped_inset4_adj_w2048.jpg)
Fig. 16 shows a Victor No. 270 150mm (6 inch) adjustable wrench, marked with the "Victor" logo and "Made in Japan" forged into the front, with "Cr-Mo Steel" and "Drop Forged" plus the JIS-Circle+H logo forged into the back.
The lower inset shows a close-up of the open jaws. Note the angled transition at the corner of the fixed jaw and the corresponding angled cutaway on the movable jaw.
The overall length is 6.2 inches, and the finish is polished chrome plating.
The JIS marking is a reference to JIS 654, first received by the company in 1951.
The "D.I.M.F." code below the JIS symbol is an abbreviation for Dai Ichi ManuFacturing and acts as the company's JIS ID mark.
Daiei Tankōsho (大栄鍛工所) was founded in 1962 in Sanjō City, Niigata Prefecture and initially operated as a maker of forged power tools.
The company is known to have made hand tools, in particular combination wrenches and box-end wrenches. Tools were marked with the "DAIE" brand.
The company may have received JIS certification for class B4632 (box-end wrenches) based on a known tool, but we haven't found a record for the certification.
The company continues in business today at 739-1 Kamihonai, Sanjō City (新潟県三条市上保内739-1), with Jun Hashimoto (橋本 潤) as president and company representative. Additional information can be found at the daiei-forging.co.jp [External Link] website.
The website doesn't provide a history timeline, but it does have some photos of their impressive forging equipment.
![[Daie 13x17mm Offset Box-End Wrench]](Photos/tools/daie_db1317mm_wrench_offset_cv_japan_f_cropped_inset3.jpg)
Fig. 17 shows a Daie 13x17mm offset box-end wrench with recessed panels, marked with "DAIE" and "JIS-B4632" forged into the front panel, with "Chrome-Vanadium" and "Japan" code forged into the back panel.
The overall length is 9.8 inches, and the finish is chrome plating.
The "JIS-B4632" marking refers to the JIS standard for box-end wrenches. (Note though that the wrench is not marked with the JIS symbol.)
Daiya Seikō (ダイヤ精工) was a maker of wrenches and other tools operating in Sanjō City, Niigata prefecture. The company was the successor in 1984 to Inoue Seisakusho, a maker of tools with roots going back to 1930.
The Inoue company was founded in 1930 as a maker of household hardware in Sanjō City, with a factory at 2523 Tajima (三条市大字田島2523).
By 1937 the company was making locks and changed its name to the Inoue Jōmae Kōjō (井上錠前工場).
During the war the company began making tools as a subcontractor to the Kurashiki Aircraft Company.
In 1950 the company was reorganized as Inoue Seisakusho (井上製作所).
Between 1956 and 1960 the company supplied wrenches as contract production for several motorcycle brands.
During the 1960s the company sold wrenches under the "IS" brand and began exporting to Europe. In 1964 the company registered a Japanese trademark with "I.S." in a diamond outline with a sailing yacht.
By 1972 the company had begun production of adjustable wrenches.
On April 19, 1976 the company received JIS certificate 376004 for adjustable wrenches (class B4604) at the Sakae factory, with notes indicating fully forged production in "Strong" grade. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 Certified List for Class B4604.
On October 2, 1979 the company received JIS certificate 379123 for wrenches in class B4630, with the factory address listed as 1620 Fukushima Shinden, Sakae Village, Nishikanbara County in Niigata Prefecture. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1982 Certified List for Class B4630.
By 1984 the company was having financial problems and was reorganized into Daiya Seikō. Although there are reports that Inoue Seisakusho had gone bankrupt, the reorganized company seems to have regarded it as simply a name change with maybe some new investment. The new company continued operating at the same location, and appears to have continued producing the same products.
In 1985 Daiya Seiko was granted a trademark for "Tough", a brand that had been used by Inoue Seisakusho since around 1982. The trademark application had been filed by the earlier company.
On March 17, 1992 Daiya Seikō transferred the 1979 JIS registration 379123 from Inoue Seisakusho into its own name. The record for this transfer can be seen in the Monthly Report 1992-03 for JIS 379123 Transfer.
One of the interesting details of this transfer is that the new registration kept the old number and date, instead of using the date of the transfer itself, or possibly being assigned a new JIS number.
In addition, the transfer extended the JIS coverage to classes B4632 and B4651. A later record of the transfer can be seen in the 1999 Summary for Super-Class B027, which shows JIS 379123 with the 1979 date and applying to classes B4630, B4632, and B4651.
This provides evidence that the 1984 reorganization of Inoue Seisakusho was considered as something less serious than a bankruptcy, or at least that the JIS inspector accepted the company's story that it was just a change of name with maybe a new investor. Normally with a bankruptcy the JIS registrations would be canceled, on the grounds that a financial breakdown would impair the company's quality standards.
In 2005 Daiya Seikō discontinued its tool production, but remained in business for other product lines.
The company website is still available at diaseiko.com [External Link], but has not been updated for a number of years.
| Text Mark or Logo | Pub. No. | Reg. No. | Date Issued | Notes and Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
57-104177 | 1833265 | 01/24/1986 | Text "TOUGH" in oval design. |
Inoue Seisakusho and Daiya Seikō received JIS certifications for classes B4630, B4632, and B4651.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
Fujiya (フジ矢) is a maker of pliers founded in 1923 in Osaka City.
The company was founded in 1923 as the Michimoto Iron Works (道本鉄工所) by Saichiro Michimoto (道本佐一郎), with operations in Ikuno ward of Osaka City (大阪市生野区).
In 1944 the company was reorganized as the Osaka Pliers Company (大阪ペンチ株式会社).
On June 28, 1951 the company received JIS certificate 651 for class B4623 (side-cutting pliers) at the Ikuno factory, making it one of the first tool companies to receive JIS certification. The record for this certification can be seen in the section on the 1955 Factory Name List for Classes B4623-B4625. [Editor's note: unfortunately the Fujiya website history incorrectly reports the 1951 JIS certification as class B4631 (needlenose pliers).]
In 1963 the company filed a trademark application for a design with a stylized Mount Fuji with an arrow, and the trademark was announced as 40-13737 and registered as #686,690 on October 2, 1965.
In October of 1968 the company relocated its head office factory to 363 Matsubara in Higashi-Osaka City (大阪府東大阪市松原363番).
On October 24, 1969 the company was re-certified for JIS 651 in class B4623 at the Matsubara factory, with notes indicating normal and heavy grade. The record for this certification can be seen in the section on the 1972 Certified List for Classes B4623-B4625.
In 1973 the company changed its name to the Fujiya Pliers Company (フジ矢ペンチ株式会社).
In 1976 the company opened at new factory at Kano, Higashi-Osaka City (東大阪市加納). The Kano factory operated as a second production facility, and Matsubara remained the head office factory. [Editor's note: did the Kano factory receive any JIS certifications?]
In 1993 the company changed its name to the Fujiya Company (フジ矢株式会社) and moved the head office factory to 2-6-32 Matsubara (東大阪市松原２丁目６番３２号).
In 1998 Yasunobu Nozaki (野﨑恭伸), the grandson of the founder, became company president.
On July 17, 2008 the head office factory at 2-6-32 Matsubara received JQA certification JQ0508059 for pliers in classes B4623, B4625, B4631, and B4635.
In 2015 the company acquired Hanazono Tools, which continued to operate as a subsidiary of Fujiya.
In November of 2016 the company opened a new head office factory, and also established the Victor Company. [Editor's note: what is the address of the new factory? Did the Kano factory continue in operation?]
In 2017 the company acquired Wakahori Manufacturing, which continued to operate as a subsidiary of Fujiya.
The company continues in operation today with its head office at 2-6-32 Matsubara, Higashi-Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture. The company also has subsidiaries in Japan and in Vietnam.
More information can be found at the Fujiya [External Link] website, which has has an informative History Timeline [External Link]. We adapted our history from the company's history timeline.
| Text Mark or Logo | Pub. No. | Reg. No. | Date Issued | Notes and Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
40-13737 | 686690 | 10/02/1965 | Stylized Mt. Fuji with arrow. |
| FUJIYA | H03-11099 | 2599435 | 11/30/1993 | Block text |
| [FUJIYA Fuji Arrow] | 2002-49378 | 4674401 | 05/23/2003 | Text "FUJIYA" with stylized Mt. Fuji and arrow |
| VICTOR [logo] | 2016-5595 | 5861971 | 06/24/2016 | Text "VICTOR" in a badge outline
Same design previously used by Yuasa Hardware? |
| KUROKIN | 2019-122223 | 6300682 | 10/06/2020 | Text "KUROKIN" in design |
Fujiya is known to have received JIS certifications for classes B4623, B4625, B4631, and B4635.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
![[Fujiya 1050 175mm Lineman's Side-Cutting Pliers]](Photos/tools/fujiya_pliers_1050_7in_linemans_jis_japan_f_cropped_inset4_w2048.jpg)
Fig. 18 shows a pair of Fujiya 1050 175mm side-cutting pliers, stamped with "Fuji-Ya" and "No. 1050" around the pivot, with a "Y" code and the JIS-Circle logo below, and with the Fuji-Arrow logo in the center.
The back of the pliers is stamped with a "34" production code.
The handles are fitted with molded hard plastic hand grips, marked with "Fuji-Ya" in the center of the dimpled gripping pattern, and with the Fuji-Arrow logo and "H Japan" on the undersides.
The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the angled facets of the head and the textured plastic hand grips.
The overall length is 7.3 inches, and the finish is plain steel with plastic hand grips.
The company was founded in 1944 as the Hanazono factory for Yuasa Shoji, a major hardware company. The name came from its initial location in the Hanazono-hon section of present day Higashi-Osaka (東大阪市花園本町).
In 1951 Hanazono Kōgu (花園工具株式会社) was formed as an independent subsidiary of Yuasa Shoji. The company's primary products were side-cutting pliers, nippers, and needlenose pliers.
At this time the company's factory was located at 149 Tamai in Kawachi City, Osaka prefecture (大阪府河内市玉井149).
On January 16, 1952 the company received JIS certificate 1223 for class B4623 (side-cutting pliers) at the Tamai factory. The record for the certification can be seen in the 1955 Factory Name List for Classes B4623-B4625.
On November 16, 1953 the company received JIS certificate 2723 for class B4631 (needlenose or "radio" pliers) at the Tamai factory. The record for the certification can be seen in the 1954-03 Monthly Report for Class B4631.
By 1962 the company had extended its JIS 1223 certification to classes B4624 and B4625, as can be seen in the 1962 Certified List for Classes B4623-B4625.
As a subsidiary of Yuasa Shoji, Hanazono sold most (possibly all) of its products under the "Victor" brand, a trademark of Yuasa.
On September 28, 1966 the company received JIS certificate 566124 for class B4635 (diagonal cutters) at the Tamai factory, with "H" grade presumed. The record for the certification can be seen in the Aggregated Monthly Reports for 1966-12.
On February 1, 1967 Kawachi City underwent a civic reorganization and was combined with Fuse and Hiraoka to form Higashi-Osaka, after which the address of the company's factory changed to 2-15-9 Hanazono Honchō in Higashi-Osaka (大阪府東大阪市花園本町 2丁目15番9). This location can be seen in the 1972 Certified List for Classes B4623-B4625. [Editor's note: try to verify that the Hanazono-honcho address is the same as 149 Tamai.]
In 1981 the head office and factory were relocated to 1130 Kano (Kano Industrial Park) in Higashi-Osaka (大阪府東大阪市加納1130).
On July 21, 1981 the company was re-certified at the Kano factory for classes B4623, B4625, and B4635 in "H" grade and for class B4631 in normal grade. The records for these certifications can be seen in the Aggregated Monthly Reports for 1981-11.
On July 23, 1981 (two days later) the company's certifications at the Hanazono-Hon factory were revoked for classes B4623, B4625, B4631, and B4635. The records for these cancellations can be seen in the Aggregated Monthly Reports for 1981-12.
The fact that the cancellations came after the re-certifications at the new factory allows us to infer that most of the production equipment at the new factory must have been new, so that the old factory could remain in operation.
In 1993 the head office and factory were relocated to 4-9-39 Kano in Higashi-Osaka (大阪府東大阪市加納４丁目９番３９号).
In 2015 the company was acquired by Fujiya, a major maker of pliers in Osaka. Shortly afterwards Fujiya formed the Victor Company and merged Hanazono Kōgu into Victor, and on November 1, 2016 Hanazono was dissolved.
Hanazono Kōgu received JIS certifications for classes B4623, B4624, B4625, B4631, and B4635.
Factory locations were in Tamai (later Hanazono-Honchō), 1130 Kano, and 4-9-39 Kano.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
![[Victor 7 Inch Lineman's Side-Cutting Pliers]](Photos/tools/victor_pliers_7in_linemans_jis_hanazono_f_cropped_inset6_w2048.jpg)
Fig. 18B shows a pair of Victor 7 inch side-cutting pliers, stamped with "Victor" and "Hanazono" around the pivot, with the JIS-Circle logo below and an "XY" production code on the back.
The pliers are also marked with "Q7" and "Victor H Japan" forged into the undersides of the handles.
The top inset shows a side view of the pliers, illustrating the angled facets of the head.
The overall length is 7.2 inches, and the finish is plain steel with red paint on the handle tips.
The company was founded in 1918 as the Hattori Hiroshi Iron Works, presumably by the eponymous Hiroshi Hattori (服部廣鐵). The company operated in Atsuta Ward of Nagoya City in Aichi prefecture.
By 1941 the company was advertising wrenches, which were typically marked with "TORI" as a brand, although it wasn't registered as a trademark.
By 1952 the company name had changed to Hattori Supana (服部スパナ).
At this time the company's factory was located at 28 Umeda-cho, Atsuta-ku in Nagoya (名古屋市熱田区梅田町 28).
On November 10, 1952 the company received JIS certificate 1979 in class B4630 (open-end wrenches) at the Umeda-cho factory. The record for this certification can be seen in the 1953-02 Monthly Report for Class B4630.
Hattori was one of the first seven companies to receive JIS certification for open-end wrenches.
The company is believed to have ceased operations by around 1970.
Hattori Supana is known to have received JIS certification 1979 for class B4630 (open-end wrenches).
The 1952 JIS certification listed the factory address as 28 Umeda-cho, Atsuta Ward, Nagoya City.
Background information on the JIS program can be found in our article on Japanese Industrial Standards.
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