The world of “Artisan Spirits” packed into Lexus/Toyota

wheel feedITEM1 year ago15 Views

ARTISAN SPIRITS × LEXUS / LAND CRUISER Series

The fastest timing in the world

“It’s something you can wear casually without feeling pressured. We want to offer products that have a casual feel, yet are of exceptionally high quality.”

Junji Kumon, leader of Artisan Spirits, spoke these words as he stood in front of the rows of products. It’s been over 27 years since the brand’s launch. With this in mind, they’ve continued to create every model, centered around Lexus, and to create their own unique style. While their origins seem to stem from the Japanese VIP car world, their talents extend well beyond that. A prime example of this is their success at the SEMA Show. Their appearance at the largest custom car show in the United States with the SC430 and LFA garnered recognition not only from local builders but also from Lexus USA itself. They subsequently began supplying aero parts for Lexus USA’s project cars. This marked the beginning of a collaboration with Lexus USA that continues to this day. For the LC500, they released a body kit in the US before the official Japanese release, perhaps the earliest in the world. This was later sublimated into the company’s 20th anniversary model, the “Black Label GT,” featuring overfenders.

Having experienced such a big stage, they have been eagerly establishing a Lexus full lineup, and at times have also taken up other brands, including Toyota, to stay close to the Japanese car lifestyle. This can also be said to be the underlying strength of their artisan spirit.

Up to the F Sport model, which has not yet been introduced in Japan

I think the Land Cruiser 300 is a really good example of how it maintains a refined atmosphere while sporting a sporty look on top, and has a unique character that stands out from the crowd. It’s a new type of high-end car that brings the sensibility and aesthetic sense gained from traveling around the world to a Japanese-made SUV known as a domestic cross-country vehicle.

The LX600 series of programs was unveiled at the Lexus USA booth at the 2022 SEMA Show. That’s why even the F Sport, a model not available in Japan, is available. It’s a car that perfectly embodies Lexus’s vision of a premium off-roader, and is packed with artisan spirit, which has been met with great acclaim in America, the mecca of SUVs and the world’s largest market. It certainly embodies the meticulous craftsmanship that only a Japanese-made car can offer, and has a casual feel that makes it easy to wear without hesitation.

As such, the core of Artisan Spirits lies in body parts. They are a vendor that develops and produces almost all of their products, and no matter what you look at, they are exceptionally “casual and high-quality.” You don’t have to get everything from top to bottom, just add your favorite parts. All of their products are designed to create a one-of-a-kind presence. You can choose materials such as carbon or FRP, and even the same car model has multiple coordination options, as exemplified by the Land Cruiser 300/LX600. Whatever your choice, they understand and highlight the unique direction of each model expressed by the automaker, while also clearly reflecting the needs and tastes of the user.

Consistent design that is clear at a glance

The high quality of their products, which are all designed, developed, and manufactured in-house, is also something not to be overlooked. The fit of the body parts is outstanding and they also have excellent long-term durability. While these body parts remain their core business, they have recently been actively expanding into functional parts such as original wheels, exhaust systems, and suspensions.

Almost all body parts are designed by Kumon himself from rough sketches. What’s amazing is that there is a consistent design that is instantly recognizable as an artisan spirit. It could almost be said to be a worldview. Car styling changes with the times, and the approach changes with each model, yet somehow there is a sense of unity. This may be due to the fact that “it is drawn by just one designer, Junji Kumon.” Just as everyone has their own unique handwriting, and we sense individuality in the photographs we take and the words we write, I learned that “a person’s individuality” can also be seen in body parts.

Expressing a fundamental concept

And now the LM is the talk of the town. This premium large minivan, which once again expresses the large minivan know-how that Toyota has cultivated with the Alphard/Vellfire in the form of a Lexus, is attracting attention. If the Artisan Spirits style, which exudes a cool and beautiful atmosphere, is added to it, it will surely once again be in the spotlight around the world. Judging from the concept model, it can be said that it expresses the fundamental concept of Artisan Spirits. The concept is “easy to wear. We want to provide casual, extremely high-quality products.” Riding on the unique appeal of the LM, it will soar even higher.

REPORT/Daichi NAKAMIGAWA

PHOTO/ARTISAN SPIRITS


MAGAZINE/
GENROQ February 2025 issue

[Inquiries]

Artisan Spirits


TEL 048-711-4100


https://artisanspirits.co.jp

Leave a reply

Recent Comments

No comments to show.
Join Us
  • Facebook38.5K
  • X Network32.1K
  • Behance56.2K
  • Instagram18.9K

Stay Informed With the Latest & Most Important News

I consent to receive newsletter via email. For further information, please review our Privacy Policy

Advertisement

Loading Next Post...
Follow
Sign In/Sign Up Sidebar Search Trending 0 Cart
Popular Now
Loading

Signing-in 3 seconds...

Signing-up 3 seconds...

Cart
Cart updating

ShopYour cart is currently is empty. You could visit our shop and start shopping.