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.
Tag: ‘Transportation’
Pink Tentacle’s greatest hits – 2010
As 2010 draws to an end, here's a look back at the year's most popular Pink Tentacle posts.
- Old-school Tokyo subway manner posters: 27 train etiquette posters from the 1970s-1980s
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- Custom scooters: Photos of 30 Japanese scooter mods
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- Post-apocalyptic Tokyo scenery: Fantastic photo manipulations by Tokyogenso
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- Macabre kids' book art by Gojin Ishihara: Not just for kids
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- Concept cars: A look back at 50+ years of Japanese concept car designs
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- Japanese town logos: 50 examples of kanji-based logos for Japanese towns
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- Kaikidan Ekotoba monster scroll: Mysterious mid-19th century scroll featuring 33 legendary monsters and human oddities
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- Futuristic mega-projects: Shimizu Corporation's bold architectural plans for the world of tomorrow
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- Horror illustrations by Tatsuya Morino: The great monsters of Gothic literature get a makeover
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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
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- Sci-fi illustrations by Shigeru Komatsuzaki: Fantastic art from the 1960s-1970s (bonus points for the comments)
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- Manga farming: Nifty gardening technique by Tokyo-based artist Koshi Kawachi
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- Paintings by Tetsuya Ishida: Surreal and provocative
Happy holidays, and thanks for reading. See you again in 2011!
Dekotora art trucks
Here is a collection of videos and photos of Gundam-style dekotora art trucks from Japan.
[Video: Alienware Dekotora]
[Photo: Satoshi Minakawa via today and tomorrow]
[Photo: ART SEKI]
[Photo: FREEDOM遊遊フレンド☆はぐれ雲]
Nissan Solar Tree
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.
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 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
Photographer Tomoyuki Sakaguchi has published an online gallery of itasha at night.
Rei Densetsu / Rei Ayanami
Shinya / Sasami Sasagawa
StudioR / Tacchi Tachikawa
MAGI / EXIT TRANCE SPEED
Piskes / Haruhi Suzumiya
Itokuzu / Hayate Yagami
Itokuzu / Hayate Yagami
Wan / Koiiro Soramoyou
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
Here is a selection of concept cars designed by Japanese automakers from 1957-2009.
Toyota Proto, 1957
Toyota Proto, 1957
Toyota Publica Sports, 1962
Nissan Prince Sprint 1900 Prototype, 1963
Toyota Concept, 1966
Mazda RX 87 (Bertone), 1967
Isuzu Bellett MX1600 (Ghia), 1969
Toyota EX-1, 1969
Toyota EX-II, 1969
Toyota EX-III, 1969
Mazda RX-500, 1970
Mazda RX-500, 1970
Isuzu MX1600-II
Nissan 126X, 1970
Nissan 270X, 1970
Nissan 216X, 1971
Nissan Skyline Concept, 1972
Toyota EX-7, 1972
Toyota RV-2, 1972
Toyota F101, 1973
Nissan AD-1 Concept, 1975
Nissan NX-21, 1983
Nissan CUE-X, 1985
Daihatsu TA-X80, 1987
Mitsubishi HSR II, 1989
Nissan Boga, 1989
Nissan Figaro Concept, 1989
Nissan FEV, 1991
Mazda London Taxi, 1993
Mitsubishi ESR, 1993
Suzuki EE-10, 1993
Nissan AP-X, 1994
Toyota Moguls, 1995 // Nissan Hypermini, 1997
Nissan TrailRunner, 1997
Nissan KYXX, 1998
Honda Fuya-Jo, 1999
Mazda Miata Mono-Posto, 1999
Isuzu Zen, 2001
Toyota POD, 2001
Isuzu FL-4, 2002
Honda IMAS, 2003
Honda KIWAMI, 2003
Honda Pro Drag Civic Si, 2003
Nissan Jikoo, 2003
Toyota FINE-S, 2003
Toyota MTRC, 2004
Infiniti Kuraza, 2005
Mazda Senku, 2005
Mitsuoka Orochi, 2005
Nissan Zaroot, 2005
Acura Advanced Sedan, 2006
Mazda Nagare, 2006
Nissan Terranaut, 2006
Acura Advanced Sports Car, 2007
Mazda Taiki, 2007
Nissan Mixim, 2007
Nissan Bevel, 2007
Nissan Pivo-2, 2007
Honda FC Sport Concept, 2008
Mazda Kiyora, 2008
Honda P-NUT, 2009
Infiniti Essence, 2009
Nissan Land Glider, 2009
Isuzu FC-12
Isuzu Fire Fighter 2
Isuzu FL-1/FL-4/FL-10
Isuzu Lunar Rover
Isuzu Super Heavy Dumptruck
Lexus Minority Report Concept, 2054
[Via: NetCarShow, Car Styling, ConceptNissan, Isuzu]
Vintage Tokyo subway manner posters
Here are a few manner posters that appeared in the Tokyo subways between 1976 and 1982.
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).
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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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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Shimatta (March 1977)
This poster warns passengers against getting their shoulder bags caught in the train doors.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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."
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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.
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Marcel Marceau (October 1978)
Marcel Marceau gestures toward a priority seat reserved for elderly and handicapped passengers, expecting mothers, and passengers accompanying small children.
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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").
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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.
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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.
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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).
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[Source: Manner Poster 100, published by Teito Rapid Transit Authority, 1983]
Bosozoku-style rides
Here are 50 photos of wildly modified bōsōzoku-style rides from Japan (via alljapanexpress, Speedhunters, Sunny Speed Style, Inokoshientotsu).
Future transportation (1936)
In 1936, Shōnen Club magazine published an illustrated article entitled "World Transportation Invention Competition," which took a look at the future of transportation.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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]