With all the news happening in airsoft this year such as new technologies that promise to bring our airsoft experience to whole new level, there is something that many airsoft players around the world failed to notice. The company that defined and molded airsoft to what it is right now, and carried the torch of the industry when other companies fell along the way, celebrated its 50th year as a business early this week.

Last 8th of June 2015, Tokyo Marui celebrated their golden year as a company at the Hotel New Otani in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. The Hotel New Otani is a very famous hotel that opened just right before the opening of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and is home to a 400-year old garden. For James Bond fans, Hotel New Otani was used as the headquarters of the baddies in the movie "You Only Live Twice" in 1967, called as the "Osato Chemicals and Engineering Company" which was a front for the sinister SPECTRE organisation.

Around 250 people attended the party, comprised of regular employees, subcontractors and wholesalers. The media were there too, including writers and editors of airsoft magazines. Before the formal ceremonies, the employees were all lined up to welcome the guests from the reception to the party venue.

As everyone got seated, the lights dimmed and the screen came up with the Tokyo Marui logo and 50 Years Anniversary as the opening screen. Then what followed were photos of the Japanese seasons as explained to me by Yuki Maeda:

• Winter: The cold season scene with snow covering trees that have already shed their leaves.
• Spring: Cherry Blossom trees in full bloom. The Japanese Cherry Blossom Tree goes to full bloom from April to May in many parts of the country.
• Summer: The sun shining through and lighting up a bamboo forest. Bamboos grow in Japan and is used in much of Japanese traditional craft.
• Fall: Trees become more colourful with their autumn leaves turning yellow or red in October and November.

After the photos, the spotlight turned on the Chairman of the Company, Mr. Iwasawa Iwao. He explained that the four seasons is about half of his life and growth of Tokyo Marui as company. He started his story as a boy in World War II where he was evacuated from Tokyo, and upon his return to the city after the war he was shocked to find his house was gone. There was nothing waiting for him as everything was burned down due to the Allied bombings. He had to focus on surviving, as there was nothing much left to live on after the war. To stay alive, he had to do many jobs, big or small. The hard times after World War II was for him the "Winter" of his life.

Later on in the post-war years, as Japan was reconstructing, he established Tokyo Marui in May 1965 making small toys for kids. The sales were good for the company, especially the toy gliders such as the "Astro Boy Glider". Such sales afforded the company to expand their product lines and they started to make plastic model and Remote Controlled (RC) toys. This was the "Spring" season for them.  The Cherry Blossom represents spring, meaning new life and a new year to start with hope for the better. The Japanese observe the season with entrance and initiation ceremonies.

From making model toys and RCs, the company eventually moved to making electronic guns. This means that this was their transition to airsoft,  especially with the introduction of the Automatic Electric Gun (AEG). This was a period of rapid growth for the company. This was their "Summer", which is represented by the Bamboo, which grows rapidly. The word to describe this period is "hachiku-no-ikioi" which is Chinese in origin and means "irresistible force" and can also be translated as "no one can withstand our growth" for Tokyo Marui as a company.

With the "Fall" season, this is the current Tokyo Marui image. With leaves turning to red and yellow around the country, the most popular one is the "Momiji" which is the version of the maple tree in Japan.  The colour of the Momiji's leaves in autumn is known as "burning red" and Tokyo Marui is "burning" for the next stage. The next stage is perhaps the next 50 years for the company.

The company didn’t grow by itself alone and the company recognise the roles of the subcontractors, the wholesalers who distribute their products, the publishers who write about their products, and of course the customers and fans who buy their products. The Chairman expressed his heartfelt gratitude to everyone.

The President of Tokyo Marui, Takahiro Iwasawa, stood up next to introduce to everyone the awards the company have won in recent years. He showed all the Airsoft Players' Choice Awards in all their glory, winning for five consecutive times as the Best Airsoft Manufacturer and one of the first inductees to the Airsoft Players' Choice Awards Hall of Fame as Best Airsoft Manufacturer. Tokyo Marui has the most number of awards compared to its competitors in the Airsoft Players' Choice Awards which shows the recognition and support it gets from airsoft players worldwide. Also on display was the Plaque of Recognition for 50 years of Product Excellence from Popular Airsoft.

He then introduced the Tokyo Marui personnel, numbering over a hundred, who made it possible for the company to grow and win awards to the loud applause of the guests.

Following the President was the Executive for Department of Development and Design, Shigeru Iwasawa. By its name, this is where new products are born. This means that he handles the department where magic happens. He is confident that the company will grow on further as they will continue on innovating and make products that will surprise and be enjoyed by customers. Everyone toasted to the achievements in the past 50 years and to the future of the company.

After all the speeches, all the attendees were treated to a sumptuous full course French meal. The Chairman and the Executive team went around to visit the tables to express their gratitude to the guests and employees.

As the night wore on, the attendees were entertained by the comic duo, Tetsu & Tomo, famous amongst old and young audiences for their comedy act on NHK, Japan's main broadcaster. They are always recognised by their red and blue jerseys.

To cap the celebrations, the Chairman, President and Executive for  Development and Design, went up the stage to lead everyone to a "Kachidoki" as suggested by the Chairman. A Japanese ceremony that is a thousand years old, "Kachidoki" is done before and after battle, which nowadays is more about victory and triumph. With fists up high and with their supporters, they shouted "ei-ei-oh" to proclaim that Tokyo Marui will be No. 1 and will not lose to the competition.

More photos of the Tokyo Marui 50th Anniversary Celebrations at the Popular Airsoft Facebook Page.

Here are the highlights in the 50-year history of Tokyo Marui. In the coming days, we shall be posting a more comprehensive 50-year history of Tokyo Marui, from a manufacturer of toy gliders, model toys, and RCs, to being the most revered airsoft company in the world.