Dekotora
Encyclopedia
The , an abbreviation
for "decoration truck", is a type of loudly decorated truck
in Japan
. Commonly having neon or ultraviolet lights, extravagant paints, and shiny stainless or golden exterior parts, such decorations can be found on both on the exterior and the interior. Dekotora may be created by workers out of their work trucks for fun, or they may be designed by hobbyists for special events. They are sometimes also referred to as .
released the first entry in a series of 10 movies called that featured as the protagonist a costumed trucker who drove his garishly decorated truck all over Japan. This movie was a big hit with both old and young, and caused a wave of dekotora popularity to sweep the country. While dekotora were present throughout the 1970s, before the movie they were restricted to the north-eastern fishing transport trucks. It is possible that the movie was an attempt to popularise these kinds of trucks. In those days, ready-made parts for trucks were not easily available, so these trucks freely utilised parts from sightseeing buses or US military vehicles.
. In addition to the Gundam-influenced designs, it is common to see decorations that are more akin to modern art, or even retro designs that closely resemble those found in the movie Trucker Guys.
s dedicated for the genre. There are two monthly magazine
s published, namely Camion by Geibunsha and Truck King by Eiwa Publishing.
Abbreviation
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. Usually, but not always, it consists of a letter or group of letters taken from the word or phrase...
for "decoration truck", is a type of loudly decorated truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Commonly having neon or ultraviolet lights, extravagant paints, and shiny stainless or golden exterior parts, such decorations can be found on both on the exterior and the interior. Dekotora may be created by workers out of their work trucks for fun, or they may be designed by hobbyists for special events. They are sometimes also referred to as .
1970s era
In 1975, ToeiToei Company
is a Japanese film, television production, and distribution corporation. Based in Tokyo, Toei owns and operates thirty-four movie theaters across Japan, a modest vertically-integrated studio system by the standards of the 1930s United States; operates studios at Tokyo and Kyoto; and is a...
released the first entry in a series of 10 movies called that featured as the protagonist a costumed trucker who drove his garishly decorated truck all over Japan. This movie was a big hit with both old and young, and caused a wave of dekotora popularity to sweep the country. While dekotora were present throughout the 1970s, before the movie they were restricted to the north-eastern fishing transport trucks. It is possible that the movie was an attempt to popularise these kinds of trucks. In those days, ready-made parts for trucks were not easily available, so these trucks freely utilised parts from sightseeing buses or US military vehicles.
Modern times
Since the late 1990s, dekotora have been heavily influenced by the art of GundamGundam
The is a metaseries of anime created by Sunrise studios that features giant robots called "Mobile Suits" ; usually the protagonist's MS will carry the name Gundam....
. In addition to the Gundam-influenced designs, it is common to see decorations that are more akin to modern art, or even retro designs that closely resemble those found in the movie Trucker Guys.
Media
After the hit movie Trucker Guys, the dekotora is referred to in various films and TV series. There are also various video games and model carModel car
A model car or toy car is a miniature representation of an automobile. Other miniature motor vehicles, such as trucks, buses, or even ATVs, etc. are often included in the general category of model cars...
s dedicated for the genre. There are two monthly magazine
Magazine
Magazines, periodicals, glossies or serials are publications, generally published on a regular schedule, containing a variety of articles. They are generally financed by advertising, by a purchase price, by pre-paid magazine subscriptions, or all three...
s published, namely Camion by Geibunsha and Truck King by Eiwa Publishing.
Films
- Films include Trucker Guys, Bakusō! Trucker Gundan, Bakusō! Moon Angel — Kita e, Supermarket WomanSupermarket Womanis a 1996 Japanese comedy romance film written and directed by Juzo Itami.The film stars Juzo's wife and regular leading-lady Nobuko Miyamoto as a woman who is hired by a failing supermarket to help it compete against an aggressive local rival...
, Dekotora no Washi, and Bakusō Trucker Densetsu. The American film Black Rain features a couple brief scenes that include Dekotora trucks. - In the film Initial DInitial D (film)Initial D is a 2005 Hong Kong film directed by Andrew Lau and Alan Mak. It is a film adaptation of the Japanese Initial D manga and anime series.-Plot:...
, the "Emperor" Race team carries one of their cars around in a Dekotora truck.
TV
- TV series include Nagareboshi Ogin, Tantei Ikka, Yo nimo Kimyō na Monogatari, Hotel, and GokusenGokusenis a manga series by Kozueko Morimoto. The story follows Kumiko Yamaguchi, the granddaughter of a Yakuza boss and teacher at an all-male private high school. In 2008, a SP manga was out, featuring some of Yankumi's old students who are by now working adults.In 2002, the manga was adapted into a...
(the 2nd series).
Manga
- In the later parts of the Great Teacher OnizukaGreat Teacher Onizuka, officially abbreviated as GTO, is a Japanese shōnen manga written and illustrated by Tohru Fujisawa. It was originally serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine from May 1997 to April 2002. The story focuses on 22-year-old ex-bōsōzoku member Eikichi Onizuka, who becomes a teacher at a private high...
manga series, Eikichi Onizuka ends up living in a Dekotora-styled Garbage Truck.
Video Games
- Zenkoku Dekotora Matsuri - a Dekotora design simulator has been released in Japan in the spring of 2008
- In the Street Fighter Alpha series, japanophileJapanophileJapanophilia is an interest in, or love of, Japan and anything Japanese; its opposite is Japanophobia. One who has such an interest or love is a Japanophile...
Sodom is shown to own a stylishly decorated truck. - Bakusō Dekotora Densetsu
- Art Camion Geijutsuden
See also
- DekochariDekochariThe is a form of art bike indigenous to Japan dating back to the mid 1970s. 'Deko' in Japanese is short for decoration and 'Chari' is slang for bike. The Dekochari was a response by children to the Dekotora craze which swept Japan after a series of movies called Truck Yaro was released...
- ItashaItasha, literally "painmobile", is a Japanese term for an otaku fad of individuals decorating the bodies of their cars with fictional characters of anime, manga, or video games . These characters are predominately "cute" female. The decorations usually involve paint schemes and stickers...
- JeepneyJeepneyJeepneys are the most popular means of public transportation in the Philippines. They were originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II and are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating...
- Jingle truckJingle truckA jingle truck is a colorfully decorated truck, typically in central Asia. It is a slang term for the customised trucks and buses common throughout the region.They can be found in Pakistan, and Afghanistan.-Origin of term:...
- Rustic bus
- Tap tapTap TapTap Tap is a series of rhythm games by Tapulous available for the iOS of which several versions, both purchasable and free, have been produced. The goal of the game is to tap each of the colored balls when they reach a line at the bottom of the screen. If the ball is hit on the beat, the player...