Maybe a little of East is East and West is West -- sometimes the Japanese aesthetic values things Westerners don't see right away (and vice versa, obviously! Now about the 1975 Datsuns ... ;-).
Not that the Japanese don't do (or over-do) the "elaborate" thing -- there are Japanese dump trucks with more lights than a shop on the Ginza. But I don't think I've ever seen Japanese lugs in the British Baroque style. I have to wonder how it would come across.
Of course, it's not exclusive -- we must have both! Dale mentioned McLean's bikes -- I've only ever seen one or two in person (both Silk Hope & McLean), but they were "simply elegant." (see the pics!) And there are "keepers of the flame" who could be the equivalent of Japan's "living treasures" when it comes to transcendent craftsmanship.
Dennis Ryan Louisville KY
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-bounces@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of OROBOYZ@aol.com Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2004 10:39 AM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Was: Bruce Gordon, now Nagasawa
In a message dated 9/9/2004 8:56:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time, gpvb1@comcast.net writes:
<< Agreed 100% - and also look at that Nagasawa!!! Yeah! Sugoi desu yo! >>
At the risk of going against the flow, Nagasawa is a totally different style builder. He has really cool "bits" made, investment cast drops, Masi~DuBois style lugs, perfect joinery, but he really does not personalize the frame by distinctive shaping, styling, filing, thinning, etc etc. More like the ultimate "plug and play". OK, a few slots in the BB shell, but simply not sculptural in the way that Bruce Gordon thinks/builds.
Of course, as the wise man says, opinions are like ___, everyone has one.
Dale
Dale Brown
Greensboro, North Carolina