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The Catalog of Reminiscence

The Invitation for Cycling by Mr.Gami

Part 77: Fujita Saddle MFG in 1965




Here is the catalog of Fujita Saddle MFG which was issued around 1965. Although the front cover was written in English, the explanations of product were written in Japanese.
There were plastic saddles, leather saddles, spring seat saddles, and so on in the lineup. As for the leather saddle, you can see the strong effect of Brooks in its shape and stamp.
Seamless saddles in the catalog were early models. The side silhouette was different from later model.
By the way, people tend to call the plastic saddle as "seamless". I think the word "seamless saddle" is a brand name of Fujita saddle.

The catalog was offered by Mr. T. N




This is the front cover. The catalog was saying proudly that "The highest quality is guaranteed by our 60 years pioneering experience".





Four kinds of seamless saddle were introduced in this page. It had neither a cover nor a cushion. In comparison with present saddle, the riding feeling was not so comfortable. The catalog was explaining "this seamless saddle was used at Tokyo Olympic in 1964". I had seen a real road-racing bicycle of Japanese athlete. I thought that the saddle which was used for the road-racer must have been the second model from the top. Later, leather saddle which had thin cushion became popular. I used to think that it became very comfortable. I still have two saddles, and have used one of them for this road-racing bicycle.

By the way, the explanation about the trait of products was written in Katakana and Chinese character. The style was too old even in those days.

Note: Japanese people had used this style until the end of World War II, since they thought it was more refined.





Leather saddles were introduced in this page. The product names were similar to Brooks. Mostly, "Belt" was used for a middle grade mass-production bicycle, and "High quality" was used for a high grade mass-production bicycle.





Thin saddles for track-racing bicycle, and narrow model of 135 mm width were introduced in this page.





The spring seat saddles which were made for comfort bicycle were introduced in this page. Those models were composed of a thick top and a spring base.





This is the back cover. The word "received the Minister of International Trade and Industry prize" was written proudly. I could feel Fujita's pride which was a leading manufacturer.

There must have been a number of cyclists who had used Fujita saddle. However, when we upgraded our bicycle, we used to prefer Cinelli or ttt if it was a plastic saddle; Or Brooks or Ideal if it was a leather saddle. To boys who had a mass-production bicycle, the products of Brooks and Ideal were one of lofty dream as well as Mafac brakes.






inserted by FC2 system