Iconic Vmax designer dies

[PaulG]

Just read this from the upcoming April/15 issue of Motorcycle Sport & Leisure out of the UK.

"The designer of the original, iconic Vmax motorcycle has died aged 85.  Kenji Ekuan was also responsible for other design classics including the Narita Express airport train and the globally-famous Japanese soy sauce bottle.  Ekuan, a former Buddhist monk, was the recipient of several awards, including the prestigious Italian design prize the Golden Compass Award, which he received last year."

From monk to international designer of soy sauce bottles, trains, motorcycles, to publishing papers on The Philosophy of Tools, Soul and Material Things, Butsudan to Jidosha (the Buddhist altar and the automobile).

I guess theres a lot more to design than putting pen to paper (or mouse to screen).

http://www.gk-design.co.jp/en/ekuan.html

Apparently a couple of weeks ago according to The Guardian:

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/10/kenji-ekuan-industrial-designer-of-bullet-trains-and-soy-bottles-dies

Bhudda's loss was our gain, and now he's gone full circle back to him. Amazing how so much can come out of one mind to benefit and bring pleasure to millions of lives.  Too bad he didn't design more motorcycles, but the VMax is a pretty good legacy to leave behind, now in it's 30th year of production.  The only bike with a longer uninteruppted production life would be the Honda Cub/Super Cub. (?)

Hats off 

[Emporian]

Godspeed, great designer.

I feel blessed to of talked with Jon Cornell a few times before he passed. Good man, treated me well.

The VMax

Legendary, as are those ties to it

[Troyskie]

Anyone know who the designer was for the FJs?

[Burns]

i'd say that the dude Maxed Out his most recent Life.
ya tah hey amigo

[Emporian]

Anyone know who the designer was for the FJs?

[ribbert]

Anyone know who the designer was for the FJs?

You couldn't possibly top that one, very funny, I like it.
That moves to the top of my short list of best replies of the year.

Noel