Tag: ‘Transportation’

Photos: Bosozoku parking

19 Jan 2011

Here's a peek at a few of the bōsōzoku-style custom rides spotted in the parking lot at the Tokyo Auto Salon custom car show last weekend, via Flickr user brunnnno.

Bosozoku car photo by brunnnno --

Bosozoku car photo by brunnnno --

Bosozoku car photo by brunnnno --

Bosozoku car photo by brunnnno --

Bosozoku car photo by brunnnno --

See more bōsōzoku-style rides »

Pink Tentacle’s greatest hits – 2010

24 Dec 2010

As 2010 draws to an end, here's a look back at the year's most popular Pink Tentacle posts.

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

- Old-school Tokyo subway manner posters: 27 train etiquette posters from the 1970s-1980s

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Best of 2010 --

- Custom scooters: Photos of 30 Japanese scooter mods

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Best of 2010 --

- Post-apocalyptic Tokyo scenery: Fantastic photo manipulations by Tokyogenso

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Best of 2010 --

- Macabre kids' book art by Gojin Ishihara: Not just for kids

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Best of 2010 --

- Concept cars: A look back at 50+ years of Japanese concept car designs

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Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

- Japanese town logos: 50 examples of kanji-based logos for Japanese towns

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Best of 2010 --

- Kaikidan Ekotoba monster scroll: Mysterious mid-19th century scroll featuring 33 legendary monsters and human oddities

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Best of 2010 --

- Futuristic mega-projects: Shimizu Corporation's bold architectural plans for the world of tomorrow

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Best of 2010 --

- Horror illustrations by Tatsuya Morino: The great monsters of Gothic literature get a makeover

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Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 -- Best of 2010 --

Selections from the Japanese urban legend series

- Ningen: Giant humanoid sea creatures of the Antarctic
- Sony timer: Rumors of a secret kill switch in Sony products
- Severed samurai head in Tokyo: A head buried in Tokyo has haunted the city for 1,000 years
- Secrets of the Tokyo underground: Rumors of a hidden city under Tokyo
- Hanako-san: Girl ghost haunts restrooms across Japan
- Human-faced dog: Encounters with mysterious canines
- Okiku doll: A haunted toy with hair that grows
- Urban legends from Meiji-period Japan: Phantom trains, bloody chocolate, and more
- Cursed commercial: Infamous Kleenex ad that sparked fear across Japan
- Human pillars: Tales of human sacrifice for large-scale construction projects

* * * * *

Best of 2010 --

- Sci-fi illustrations by Shigeru Komatsuzaki: Fantastic art from the 1960s-1970s (bonus points for the comments)

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Best of 2010 --

- Manga farming: Nifty gardening technique by Tokyo-based artist Koshi Kawachi

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Best of 2010 --

- Paintings by Tetsuya Ishida: Surreal and provocative

Happy holidays, and thanks for reading. See you again in 2011!

Dekotora art trucks

27 Oct 2010

Here is a collection of videos and photos of Gundam-style dekotora art trucks from Japan.


[Video: Alienware Dekotora]

Dekotora art truck from Japan --
[Photo: Satoshi Minakawa via today and tomorrow]

Decotora Japanese art truck --
[Photo: ART SEKI]

Deco-tora art truck from Japan --
[Photo: FREEDOM遊遊フレンド☆はぐれ雲]

See more dekotora »

Nissan Solar Tree

06 Oct 2010

At the CEATEC Japan 2010 trade show now being held in Chiba (Oct 5-9), Nissan is exhibiting a futuristic model of a solar-powered wireless charging station for electric vehicles.

Nissan Solar Tree --
Solar Tree: Coming in 2030 to a city near you

The envisioned tree-shaped charging station -- called the "Solar Tree" -- stands 12 meters (39 ft) tall and has three translucent round solar panels that follow the sun across the sky. With an expected conversion efficiency of 30%, the three solar panels together can generate 20 kilowatts of power. At the base of each tree is a clover leaf-shaped wireless charging pad that can recharge batteries from a short distance, without the use of cables or plugs.

As part of the exhibition, Nissan showed off the latest version of its EPORO robot car, which has been outfitted with a wireless power system. In addition to recharging itself under a Solar Tree, the robot can also repower itself on the go by receiving electrical energy via charging lanes on the road.

EPORO robot under Solar Tree --
EPORO robot recharging under a Solar Tree

Solar Trees can be used individually as small-scale charging stations in urban areas, or they can be grouped into forests to produce energy on the scale of power plants. According to Nissan's design, a forest of 1,000 Solar Trees will be able to provide electricity for 7,000 households.

In addition to providing power, Solar Trees can provide some relief from the heat in summer. The translucent solar panels offer protection from UV light, while fine mist emitted from the edges of the panels works to reduce the temperature in the immediate vicinity.

Ita☆Sha: Otaku rides after dark

04 Oct 2010

Photographer Tomoyuki Sakaguchi has published an online gallery of itasha at night.

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
Rei Densetsu / Rei Ayanami

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
Shinya / Sasami Sasagawa

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
StudioR / Tacchi Tachikawa

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
MAGI / EXIT TRANCE SPEED

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
Piskes / Haruhi Suzumiya

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
Itokuzu / Hayate Yagami

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
Itokuzu / Hayate Yagami

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
Wan / Koiiro Soramoyou

Itasha photo by Tomoyuki Sakaguchi --
Regtan / Miku Hatsune

The entire collection is available as an iPad photo book, which also features background stories about each itasha and its owner.

[Link: Ita☆Sha]

Photos: 50+ years of Japanese concept cars

29 Sep 2010

Here is a selection of concept cars designed by Japanese automakers from 1957-2009.

Concept car --
Toyota Proto, 1957

Concept car --
Toyota Proto, 1957

Concept car --
Toyota Publica Sports, 1962

Concept car --
Nissan Prince Sprint 1900 Prototype, 1963

Concept car --
Toyota Concept, 1966

Concept car --
Mazda RX 87 (Bertone), 1967

Concept car --
Isuzu Bellett MX1600 (Ghia), 1969

Concept car --
Toyota EX-1, 1969

Concept car --
Toyota EX-II, 1969

Concept car --
Toyota EX-III, 1969

Concept car --
Mazda RX-500, 1970

Concept car --
Mazda RX-500, 1970

Concept car --
Isuzu MX1600-II

Concept car --
Nissan 126X, 1970

Concept car --
Nissan 270X, 1970

Concept car --
Nissan 216X, 1971

Concept car --
Nissan Skyline Concept, 1972

Concept car --
Toyota EX-7, 1972

Concept car --

Concept car -- Concept car --

Concept car --
Toyota RV-2, 1972

Concept car --
Toyota F101, 1973

Concept car --
Nissan AD-1 Concept, 1975

Concept car --
Nissan NX-21, 1983

Concept car --
Nissan CUE-X, 1985

Concept car --
Daihatsu TA-X80, 1987

Concept car --
Mitsubishi HSR II, 1989

Concept car --
Nissan Boga, 1989

Concept car --
Nissan Figaro Concept, 1989

Concept car --
Nissan FEV, 1991

Concept car --
Mazda London Taxi, 1993

Concept car --
Mitsubishi ESR, 1993

Concept car --
Suzuki EE-10, 1993

Concept car --
Nissan AP-X, 1994

Concept car -- Concept car --
Toyota Moguls, 1995 // Nissan Hypermini, 1997

Concept car --
Nissan TrailRunner, 1997

Concept car --
Nissan KYXX, 1998

Concept car --
Honda Fuya-Jo, 1999

Concept car --
Mazda Miata Mono-Posto, 1999

Concept car --
Isuzu Zen, 2001

Concept car --
Toyota POD, 2001

Concept car --
Isuzu FL-4, 2002

Concept car --
Honda IMAS, 2003

Concept car --
Honda KIWAMI, 2003

Concept car --
Honda Pro Drag Civic Si, 2003

Concept car --
Nissan Jikoo, 2003

Concept car --
Toyota FINE-S, 2003

Concept car --
Toyota MTRC, 2004

Concept car --
Infiniti Kuraza, 2005

Concept car --
Mazda Senku, 2005

Concept car --
Mitsuoka Orochi, 2005

Concept car --
Nissan Zaroot, 2005

Concept car --
Acura Advanced Sedan, 2006

Concept car --
Mazda Nagare, 2006

Concept car --
Nissan Terranaut, 2006

Concept car --
Acura Advanced Sports Car, 2007

Concept car --
Mazda Taiki, 2007

Concept car --
Nissan Mixim, 2007

Concept car --
Nissan Bevel, 2007

Concept car --
Nissan Pivo-2, 2007

Concept car --
Honda FC Sport Concept, 2008

Concept car --
Mazda Kiyora, 2008

Concept car --
Honda P-NUT, 2009

Concept car --
Infiniti Essence, 2009

Concept car --
Nissan Land Glider, 2009

Concept car --
Isuzu FC-12

Concept car --
Isuzu Fire Fighter 2

Concept car --
Isuzu FL-1/FL-4/FL-10

Concept car --
Isuzu Lunar Rover

Concept car --
Isuzu Super Heavy Dumptruck

Concept car --
Lexus Minority Report Concept, 2054

[Via: NetCarShow, Car Styling, ConceptNissan, Isuzu]

Vintage Tokyo subway manner posters

09 Aug 2010

Here are a few manner posters that appeared in the Tokyo subways between 1976 and 1982.

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Three annoying train monsters (October 1982)

The three annoying train monsters shown in the poster are Nesshii (the sleeping monster), Asshii (the leg-crossing monster), and Shinbunshii (the newspaper-reading monster).

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Don't throw chewing gum on the platform (September 1976)

Even Superman is no match for chewing gum discarded on the train platform.

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Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
The Seat Monopolizer (July 1976)

Inspired by Charlie Chaplin's "The Great Dictator," this poster encourages passengers not to take up more seat space than necessary.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Don't forget your umbrella (June 1977)

This poster of the high-class courtesan Agemaki (from the kabuki play "Sukeroku"), whose captivating beauty was said to make men forgetful, is meant to remind passengers to take their umbrellas when they leave the train.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Space Invader (March 1979)

This 1979 poster pays tribute to the extremely popular Space Invaders video arcade game and encourages passengers to read their newspapers without invading the space of other passengers.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Isami-ashi: Wait behind the white line (May 1979)

The image of sumo wrestlers locked in combat serves as a reminder for passengers to stand safely behind the white line when waiting for the train.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Don't forget your umbrella (October 1981)

The text at the top of this poster -- which shows Jesus overwhelmed with umbrellas at the Last Supper -- reads "Kasane-gasane no kami-danomi" (lit. "Wishing to God again and again"). The poster makes a play on the words "kasa" (umbrella) and "kasane-gasane" (again and again).

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Shimatta (March 1977)

This poster warns passengers against getting their shoulder bags caught in the train doors.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Coughing on the platform (January 1979)

Modeled after the paintings of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, this poster -- titled "Hōmu de Concon" (coughing on the platform) -- urges people not to smoke on the train platforms during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The poster makes a play on the words "concon" (coughing sound) and "cancan" (French chorus line dance).

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Dream at home (December 1981)

This poster, which features Doraemon dressed as Santa, encourages Christmas and end-of-year drunks not to pass out on the train.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
The Non-Thinker (May 1981)

The image of a cross-legged version of Auguste Rodin's "The Thinker" aims to encourage passengers to sit in a way that is considerate of other passengers.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Kappa, (August 1979)

The image of a kappa (river imp) against a backdrop of lit cigarettes serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM). The text at the top of the poster reads "Gaman gurai wa he no kappa," which translates loosely as "waiting is no big deal."

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Umbrellas left behind in the subway (June 1976)

This Marilyn Monroe poster aims to remind passengers to take their umbrellas with them when they leave the train. The text in the top right corner -- "Kaerazaru kasa" (umbrella of no return) -- is a play on "Kaerazaru Kawa," the Japanese title for "River of No Return," the 1954 movie starring Monroe.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
I'll stand up (July 1979)

Uesugi Teppei, a character from the popular manga "Ore wa Teppei," offers to give up his seat to the elderly and infirm.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Do not rush onto the train (April 1979)

This poster advises passengers not to rush onto the train at the last moment. The text (かけこみ禁寺) is a play on the words かけこみ禁止 (kakekomi kinshi - "don't rush onto the train") and かけこみ寺 (Kakekomi-dera - Kakekomi temple), which has long been known as a sanctuary for married women fleeing their husbands.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Clearly show your train pass (September 1978)

The image of Napoleon holding a partially concealed train pass is meant to remind passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant when passing through the gates. The dictionary page in the background appears to be a reference to Napoleon's famous quote, "The word 'impossible' is not in my dictionary."

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Humans are forgetful (February 1976)

This poster, which reminds passengers to take their belongings when they leave the train, shows Astro Boy returning a forgotten hat and umbrella to his creator, Osamu Tezuka.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
When the bell chimes, it's too late (April 1977)

This poster, which depicts Cinderella rushing from the ball at the stroke of midnight, is meant to warn passengers against the danger of trying to rush into the train after the departure chime sounds.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Mary is tired (December 1977)

The image of Mary carrying baby Jesus aims to encourage passengers to give up their seats to mothers with small children.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
No smoking during non-smoking hours (October 1980)

The "Journey to the West" monkey urges passengers not to smoke on the platform during the designated non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
You've had too much to drink (October 1976)

This October 1976 poster of a drinking Santa is addressed to the drunks on the train. The text, loosely translated, reads: "I look like Santa because you've had too much to drink. It's only October. If you drink, be considerate of the other passengers."

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Wasureemon (June 1980)

Doraemon offers a friendly reminder not to forget your umbrella. The text at the bottom is a suggestion to write your name, address and company name (or school name) on your possessions.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Marcel Marceau (October 1978)

Marcel Marceau gestures toward a priority seat reserved for elderly and handicapped passengers, expecting mothers, and passengers accompanying small children.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
I stepped in gum (March 1980)

The image of a cat stepping in gum is a playful twist on the popular children's song "Neko Funjatta" ("I Stepped on a Cat").

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Clearly show your train pass (September 1976)

This poster is a reminder for passengers to clearly show their train passes to the station attendant, even when they fly like Superman through the ticket gates.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Please open it (July 1977)

This poster of a melting snowman aims to encourage passengers seated near a window to let cool air in when it is hot inside.

* * * * *

Vintage Japanese train manner poster --
Non-smoking Time (November 1982)

The image of John Wayne on a mock cover of Time magazine serves as a reminder not to smoke on the platform during non-smoking hours (7:00-9:30 AM and 5:00-7:00 PM).

* * * * *

[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]

Bosozoku-style rides

05 Jul 2010

Here are 50 photos of wildly modified bōsōzoku-style rides from Japan (via alljapanexpress, Speedhunters, Sunny Speed Style, Inokoshientotsu).

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Bōsōzoku style custom ride --

Boso zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bōsō zoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

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Bosozoku style custom ride --

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Bosozoku style custom ride --

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Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

Bosozoku style custom ride --

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Bosozoku style custom ride --

Future transportation (1936)

30 Jun 2010

In 1936, Shōnen Club magazine published an illustrated article entitled "World Transportation Invention Competition," which took a look at the future of transportation.

Retro-futuristic transportation in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Sphere-wheeled car -- Reiji Iizuka, 1936

This futuristic car with spherical wheels, illustrated by Reiji Iizuka, is based on an idea from a German inventor. The vehicle's tires -- a pair of oversized rubbery spheres -- offer a smoother ride than the conventional tires on a four-wheeled car, and they act as a cushion in the event of an accident.

* * * * *

Retrofuture design in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Amazingly swift flying machine -- Matsujirō Murakami, 1936 [+]

This ultra-fast airplane, illustrated by Matsujirō Murakami, is based on a design by an American inventor. The vehicle is powered by propellers that blast air through a pair of large ducts.

* * * * *

Retrofuturistic transportation in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Ship with built-in boat dock - Gyosui Suzuki, 1936 [+]

This safety-conscious passenger ship, illustrated by Gyosui Suzuki, is based on an idea by an American inventor. The hull of the ship is designed to open up in an emergency, and it contains a small fleet of boats that allow people to escape quickly and safely.

* * * * *

Retrofuture design in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
Mountain monorail - Kikuzō Itō, 1936 [+]

The design for this innovative monorail train, illustrated by Kikuzō Itō, originated with an American inventor. The two-wheeled design looks rather precarious, but the powerful airplane propeller and tail fin manage to keep the train upright and stable as it zips through the mountains. Extra wheels extend out from the sides when the train comes to a halt.

* * * * *

Retro-futuristic transportation in Shonen Club magazine, 1936 --
High-speed tank-style boat - Matsujirō Murakami, 1936

This high-speed battle boat, illustrated by Matsujirō Murakami, is also inspired by an American design. A pair of caterpillar tracks allow the vessel to roll across the water like a tank on land.

[Source: 昭和之雜誌廣告・ナツカシモノ]