[CR]Japanese builders on the quiet side

(Example: Framebuilding:Brazing Technique)

Date: Wed, 26 Jan 2005 10:05:48 +0900
From: "Dennis Young" <mail@woodworkingboy.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, <thteach@sonic.net>
In-Reply-To: <MONKEYFOOD0CI76rOJh00002675@monkeyfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: [CR]Japanese builders on the quiet side

I think that Todd is correct about the relatively small scale operations of current Japanese builders that could be included in the kof distinction. Most Japanese craftsmen tend to keep a low profile, rarely do you see a face behind the work in publications, etc. Also, the touring bike trade must be slowing, as the group of people who enjoyed this type of cycling is aging, and in many cases no longer riding. A long touring ride after graduating from high school used to be a rite of passage. You never see that anymore. Then there are the people who only make for keirin racing, that is it's own little corner where notice doesn't get out much outside the activity.

Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
>
> I think it very telling that some of the Japanese CR list followers have
> not added their opinion on this topic.
>
> Zunow, Toei, Watanabe, 3Rensho, Nagasawa and many others let alone the
> makers of the Keirin bikes are on par with the European and American
> artisans.
>
> As R. Sachs indicates, the brands that we are most familiar - Fuji,
> Bridgestone, Nishiki, Panasonic, Miyata - to name a few are not
> comparable. They are products of coporate factories not individuals
> artisans.
>
> I'm sure we don't know more about the Japanese artisans due to the
> language barriers. Its hard to learn and its hard to teach. Kudos to
> those who have succeeded-Dennis. Also, like American framemakers, they
> are small operations. It is difficult and expensive to adverstise their
> products (at home or abroad) and simultaneously produce the products in a
> timely manner.
>
> I would not be surprised either that part of the reason we don't know more
> is because Japanese artisans don't need or want to tell us more. Cultural
> exchange results in cultural dilution. I think that is the big issue in
> Iraq.
>
> Todd Teachout
> Hercules, CA