When traced the trail of existence of Japanese-made bicycles in Indonesia is quite old. Unfortunately, most Japanese bikes are under the shadow of the popularity of European-made bicycles. The Japanese brand The Mister (The Miyata Works Co-Tokio) was sold in 1933 by Watanabe Shop in Medan city, and Bosin & Co, in Kisaran for Asahan agents.
When the Japanese army took control of Indonesia in 1942, not only the cultural, political and social values of the Japanese were brought and introduced to Indonesian society, as well as economic interests. According to the old bike expert from Indonesia Yudi eunuch, Indonesian people who used to be less familiar with Japanese-made products so recognize and start menggandrunginya.
Indonesia is wide open. This is due to the vacancy of Dutch and other European bike products. In addition, the presence of national sentiments that still colored due to the second world war. Want to return the Dutch colonize Indonesia also affect the Dutch bicycle delivery business. This is what the Japanese use to open a lot of bicycle agents in Indonesia. Japan also increasingly keen to export bikes to Indonesia.
Of the few Japanese bicycles in Indonesia, The Mister bikes are somewhat popular than other Japanese brand bikes. It is said that, in the 1960s, The Mister's bikes are widely used as a health service midwife or health officer. The Mister's bike is equipped with a typical Miyata branded bag.
From the historical record of The Mister's bike was made by The Miyata Work Co in Tokio, Japan. Miyata was founded by Eisuke Miyata, an ex-convict employed by Hithi Kuni Kasama's family (clan). Miyata bikes were first made at Miyata Gun Factory in 1892.
The beginning of this bike is based on Miyata's observation that the future development of the arms industry in Japan is not strong. Finally, Miyata got the idea to create a new bike design after being asked by a stranger to fix a conventional bike. Unlike modern bicycles, the Miyata bike is built from a pipe belonging to a gun factory (Miyata Gun Factory).
For decades, Miyata formed a good foothold in the Japanese bicycle market. Miyata is contracted by several local brands to build bicycles. As a result, Panasonic Corporation eventually attracted to become the shareholder of The Miyata Work Co in 1959. Additional information, The Mister's bike is a trademark marketed by the Miyata factory for the Asian market, while in the Netherlands and the United States marketed under the name Koga Miyata.
Guarantee Medal
A unique feature that can only be seen on an old Japanese bike is a warranty medal hanging on a tube top tube. The size of this guarantee medal is usually 3-6 cm in size. This medal bears the name or logo of the bike manufacturer. This warranty medal is generally placed on the tube over the bike with a leather strap bound. The habit of placing some sort of this warranty medal originated in 1930. The medallion was made of metal, but there were some made of paper and plastic in the late 1950s and 60s.
Ancient Japanese bicycles, especially from the 1950s, have a name or logo as a whole or in almost every part of the manufacturer. This is a true work of Japanese art