Day 12:
Today I leave Japan and am writing my final installment. First and for most I have to thank Rumina, Roots gym and Inspirit for allowing me to come to Japan and train with　there team. The experience you have opened me up to I can not even explain into words. From the 1st day you welcomed me into your gym and lives as one of your own. As the days carried on I felt as if I began to grow into that welcoming. Taiki. Thank you so much for allowing me to stay at your home during this trip. I will miss all of the crazy things that is Japan. Remember..THIS IS JAPAN!! lol…The best thing I can offer in return is that I WILL WIN November 14th. When I came to Japan I did not know what to expect. But the way Everyone has treated me has been unreal. Roots gym are not just my friends. They are my Japanese Family. I will not say goodbye. But will say, until next time!
Sayonara! ROOTS GYM..you will be missed.

PAI PON!!!!!!!!! ha

Chad “SAVAGE” George

p.s.Todays photos are just of us being us! but..will upload tonight…gotta go to the airport!

Day 1:

After a long 12 hour flight, I finally made it to JAPAN! I flew into a city about an hour outside of Tokyo and about 3 hours outside of Odawara (the city we are staying in). Rumina Sato met me at the airport with his wife and son. We grabbed my gear and headed on the 3 hour journey through the beutiful westcoast of  Japan.  I wish I could say I took a bunch of really great pictures to share, but unfortunetly passed out in the car for most of the ride. We stopped to take a break from the massive traffic thru Tokyo at this food strip mall. It was so cool. The way everything is set up here is so different from the states its amazing. I grabbed my camera to only find that for some reason the battery did not charge back home..uugh..I promise I will post pics later once I able to take some.

We finally made it to Odawara. Dropped Ruminas family at home. Then off to Roots gym for 1st session of training. We arrived about 8pm.  Grappled with a few of Ruminas fighters: Taiki, Shooto Champion Mamoru and a few others. I fely ok except for the jet lag and lack of sleep. We trained until about 9:30-10 and then went to eat.

Food was great. Even the “Natto” Furmented Soy beans for those of you who dont know what is it.

So far it has already been great. The only issue is the language barrier in which I feel like the handicapped kid that wants to fit in and everyone makes fun of!!!

I know im missing alot but Im exhusted and woke up at 6am to fill you guys in.

Day 2  looks to be a great full day of training and more new experiences.

Chad “SAVAGE” George

I did indeed go on a short break after these two videos, Road of Darkness under the Evening Star.

I was waiting for the C76 albums to come. Lots of fresh music to pick from and so I have brought a few today. The Moon Child Shoots A Strange Bird The Gods Loved.

First is a new song from C76. A calming vocal arrange of The Gensokyo the Gods Loved from C-CLAYZ. The original is really nice so it was no surprise that I loved this arrange. The vocals are wonderful and I’m sure will show up again in the collection.

Next isn’t a new song. I simply felt like it was time to upload this piece was all. It’s the best ‘rock’ Hiroari Shoots a Strange Bird ~ Till When? I have heard yet. It’s too bad that it’s very short though. I really wish it was longer, but at least what we do have is amazing. I couldn’t find a picture to properly represent this song, my apologies for that.

Last for today is a song that blew me away. I’m a huge fan of Flight of the Bamboo Cutter ～ Lunatic Princess and am very pleased with this arrange. You should be able to tell by now, but I have a huge weak spot for orchestrated songs. I just can’t resist how they sound so powerful and graceful (Indeed that may sound odd to some). This piece was no exception of course. I’ve heard many techno/trance songs, but this brings new view to Lunatic Princess. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.

With that Part III is halfway over. Coming up will be more C76 music so look forward to it!

Travel to the East…
Viaje al Este…

…

907 concept

Se trata de un coupé biplaza de carrocería de carbono con motor delantero y propulsión trasera. Equipado con un motor V12 de 6 litros (500 CV) situado longitudinalmente en la parte posterior del eje delantero. La potencia es transmitida por una una caja de seis marchas situada delante del eje posterio

BMW concept cs

solo se conocen datos de su carroceria , que es de grandes dimensiones. Mide 5.106 mm de largo y 1.978 mm de ancho; en relación a estas cotas, su altura es muy pequeña: 1.367 mm. La distancia entre ejes es 3.146 mm.

BMW M1 concept

No se conoce absolutamente nade de su mecánica ni de su carrocería

Mitsubishi concept  ” RA”

Está dotado del SST Twin, el embrague automatizado del Lancer Evolution X, que viene a ser como el DSG de Volkswagen. Muchos de los sistemas electrónicos que usa proceden del Lancer Evolution X, como el Diferencial Activo (ACD), el sistema ABS deportivo (Sport ABS) o el control de estabilidad (ASC), con el fin de mejorar la tracción, la adherencia, facilitar su conducción y poder salir airoso de situaciones comprometidas.

Mazda Taiki

Su motor RENESIS 16X representa un importante paso adelante, ampliando el cubicaje de 1,3 a 1,6 litros e incorporando dos diseños de rotor, que en combinación con la tecnología de inyección directa y otras mejoras, consiguen mejorar la eficiencia y el par.

Noticias relacionadas:

Prototipos de coches que nunca vieron la luz (I)

Figure n°1 : la baudroie.

Genre “le copain de ma cousine”, ou “le mec chez qui ma mère achète du miel de romarin au marché” ou encore “un copain de lycée qui avait exactement la même tête que toi”

“T’es sur que c’est pas ton frère ?”

VA MOU-RI-REUH !

Tout comme c’est connu que tous les noirs se ressemblent et que les japonais, au fond, c’est rien que des p’tits chinois qui habitent sur une ile (donc, forcement, ils doivent être frères, comme les Suisses des Belges, ou ce qu’il en reste), les fêtes continuent à être organisées sur une base commune consistant à boire n’importe quoi en faisant bien attention de ne pas le faire dans l’ordre (“t’as du muscadet ? Je suis à la vodka, mais tu peux me faire gouter, quand j’aurais fini ma pression-cointreau ? “), manger des plats pas trop mauvais mais dont la quantité a été calculée façon Warren Buffet, écouter les mêmes histoires, répondre aux sempiternels et-tu-viens-d’où-tu-fais-quoi-ah-bon-c’est-intéressant , voir des têtes rouges, prendre des inconnus en photos, trop fumer de clopes, voir le ballet des grattages de numéros de téléphones plus ou moins fructueux…Encore une soirée, donc, mais pour mon anniversaire, quand bien même je n’aime pas trop ça.

“Ca me graaaaatte, làààà !”

[Dieu a mangé des chips dans mon t-shirt, Baden Powell me trépane avec un oriflamme, je brûle une fourmie avec une loupe en mousse de polystèrène importé de Jupiter en bateau-mouche...mouahhhahahha....passons.]

Mais quand je l’ai dit à Aki-chan, elle a eu cette réponse déroutante de simplicité, et finalement très japonaise aussi :

” – Mais non, tu reçois plein de cadeaux, tu bois, les autres te disent des trucs sympas. C’est bien, non ?
- Ah euh…oui, sans doute.”

Figure 2 : Filles locales ayant une certaine répartie (rare).

C’est là le paradoxe réjouissant ; certes, je prends un malin plaisir à conspuer tout ce qui me fatigue dans ce pays et ses mentalités, crachant avec l’entrain de la racaille marseillaise sur la main qui me nourrit (chien jaune que je suis !), mais j’en oublie parfois un peu de souligner les qualités.

Par exemple donc, cette franchise brute et joyeuse, de face à face, dans un pays qui a érigé l’hypocrisie et le non-dit en école de conduite (on pourrait parler de shintoïsme viscéral, mais le catholicisme romain fait un tabac dans le domaine, alors laissons).

Donc, un anniversaire, mais en commun, avec Appi-culteur et Yuzuke-kette.

Trophées : 2 bols en bois (merci Rinko), 2 chaussettes jaunes (merci Shiori), 6 verres vintage ET (merci Toshi-kun…), une matrioshka de Noël (merci Aki), des bonbons, un couteau suisse (merci les boys). C’est gentil (d’autant plus que j’ai personnellement horreur de devoir choisir un cadeau pour un anniversaire)…Et merci à Taiki et Mame-chan pour l’organisation.

Cétait vraiment très interessant…

Le 20 octobre comme chaque année, c’est l’anniversaire de Chiaki, et histoire de ne pas faire une énième soirée déguisée de plus avec des déguisements achetés chez DonQuichote (le Babou local), j’ai suggéré une “dasai party”, fête ringarde, ce qui revient au même, mais bon…

J’étais curieux de voir ce que ça pouvait donner dans un pays où j’ai parfois l’impression que les gens SONT de toute façon quotidiennement déguisés.

Tata Taiki dubitatif devant tant de conformisme social

(mais très décidé à toucher le giron de la chose)

C’est vrai, merde : le pauvre pékin qui ne deviendra pas vendeur en boutique, graphiste ou autre chose à prétention artistique lui autorisant une certaine originalité, eh ben il est bon pour passer de l’uniforme de lycéen à celui de salaryman, avec une petite transition à la fac, mais où il s’inscrira vite dans un club de sport histoire d’avoir des couleurs à porter, histoire qu’on le pense pas en roue libre.

Avant qu’un bien-pensant que ça constipe ne m’attaque en me disant que je ne suis qu’un sale raciste et que j’ai qu’à partir si je suis pas content, j’ai 2 choses à dire :

- Si vous avez un minimum de cerveau, vous vous doutez que je ne suis pas aveugle et que je vois bien que la France a ses particularismes sur la question aussi. Juste que ce soit clair :…
- J’en ai ras le cul des gens qui s’imaginent que dès qu’on écrit un truc sur le Japon, ça impliquerait une comparaison avec la France. À croire que toute personne écrivant est un évangéliste à la petite semaine et qu’elle le fait dans le but de pointer du coude (montrer du doigt, c’est mal) le pourquoi du comment de « la France c’est tellement mieux », qui marche aussi dans l’autre sens, « je veux vivre et mourir dans ce pays enchanté ».

Ce manque d’imagination sociologique, maudits pleutres à peine dignes des témoins de Jéhovah, c’est votre malédiction : obligé de prendre part, de choisir, d’avoir un gagnant et un perdant, ineptes à la multiplicité des raisonnements et de leurs aboutissants. Je vous conchie, fascistes de merde, allez donc brûler des livres de socio avec Goebbels.
Comme ça le point Godwin est atteint, et let’s move on.

“Un p’tit bisous, salopes capitalistes ?”

Donc, j’attendais beaucoup ces déguisements, puissent’-ils avoir été de l’envergure de ces panoplies qu’ils revêtent le week-end, après une semaine engoncée dans l’écrin de l’Office Lady et de l’agent immobilier (c’était un mauvais exemple : le pote qui l’est ne s’est pas déguisé du tout).

Et bien non…c’était très sage.
Evidement, j’avais aussi proposé parce que j’avais envie d’être bien craignos, et ça a été salué. Surtout le fait d’avoir prit le métro déjà habillé d’une chemise à carreaux jaune fané, bien fermé sous le veston et son badge de Fonzy, le pantalon de jogging King-Size mais trop court claquant sur le ventre tel une oriflamme en nylon bleu marine à bande latérale orange, avec des chaussettes grises à losanges et des chaussures en cuir…une certaine classe justifiant d’avoir laissé pousser la moustache, le symbole des hommes, les vrais.

« Un baiser sans moustache est comme une soupe sans sel »
dixit ma même.

Bref, mention spéciale à Taiki et ses runnings blanches, un effort louable, mais sinon c’était un peu terne, surtout dans un Shibuya qui semblait s’être donné le mot pour battre tout le monde plate couture.

Chiaki, en idole des années 90, flashait aussi en chemise à pois, collants roses et ceinture assortie, talon de chaussures imprimé pied-de-poule et jupette à carreaux verts, maquillage truelle, chouchou plastoc.

Joyeux 24 ans !

“Oh, un gateau à la génoise, à la crème et aux fruits ! Comme c’est original ! Fallait paaaas~~~!”

The compact sport crossover vehicle concept from Mazda, called the Kazamai, was recently unveiled in the Moscow International Automobile Salon on 26^th August. Previous concepts like Nagare, Ryuga, Hakaze, Taiki and Furai had been modeled with nature in mind. Kazamai is no different. Designed with the theme of “crosswinds”, the Japanese automaker hopes that its unique proportions and unconventional lines will have a deep emotional appeal amongst onlookers, and give them a sense of visual lightness. For the exterior, the concept features a 5-point grill, low sleek roofline, and very bold wheel arches that barely contain its massive 22-inch wheels.

Underneath this sleek body, the Kazamai is fitted with a next generation direct-injection engine, mated to a newly developed transmission that most likely contains some variant of the dual-clutch system. All these will be sitting on a 4-wheel drive platform. Though the construction materials have yet to be confirmed by Mazda, the company did mention that the material is both lightweight and robust. Hopefully, this ones’ and other mysteries will be revealed once the car goes in production.

Watch this space for more on this mysterious vehicle!

Para empezar, el que parece que flota en el aire:

La marca nipona nos vuelve a sorprender con otro prototipo englobado dentro de la filosofía Nagare (fluidez en japonés), el Mazda Taiki (atmósfera en japonés). En esta ocasión, el prototipo apunta a unas formas más deportivas, dejándonos ver como serían los deportivos del futuro.

Bajo el capó lleva la próxima generación del motor rotativo (por el que Mazda lleva apostando 40 años) denominado RENESIS, que marcará las pautas en cuanto a emisiones y dinamismo en futuras versiones de este propulsor. La configuración del Mazda Taiki, a pesar de sus extravagantes formas, es la de motor en posición delantera y propulsión trasera (válgame la redundancia).

Y ahora os presento al que parece, con sus puertas, que vaya a echarse un vuelo:

Renault presenta en Ginebra al nuevo Megane. Este nuevo prototipo devela lo que será, la menos en su parte delantera, el Megane 2009. Como podemos apreciar, el nuevo coche insignia de Renault se presenta en versión coupe, en donde se estima que el coche de producción, no será igual. Algo a destacar del prototipo de Megane, es la incorporación de la apertura de puerta que es al estilo de alas de gaviota.

El Megane Coupe Concept tiene un equipamiento excelente: como el sistema de climatización trasera, en donde cada asiento posee su propio mando, su iluminación es con LEDs, también hay dos cámaras en la parte exterior de la carrocería que hacen las funciones de espejos retrovisores, sus asientos son individuales y el techo es panorámico. Los neumáticos son 245/35ZR21.

El diseño del Megane Coupe Concept esta basado en el Laguna y en otros antiguos prototipos de Renault. Su parte delantera, me hace recordar al Fluence, otra gran coupe de la marca. Lo que llama mas la atención de el, es la combinación de las ópticas delanteras con la toma de aire de color gris, también su amplio lateral y puerta. En la parte trasera, Renault siempre busca innovar y en este modelo en particular, lo que podemos notar es que la mayoría de el, esta basado en el logo de Renault. Esto que digo se aprecia en la terminación de la ventana y en la forma en que terminan las ópticas, en donde se forma una sonrisa.

Estos coches los puse porque me han impresionado bastantes en su forma moderna (ni os cuento del Mazda Taiki) y por la tecnología de sus puertas (las del Renault). Aunque si que deberían costar una pasta, ¡y cuánto!

Dopo lo studio sulla furai, la Mazda sta studiando un nuovo concept chiamato Taiki. Questi sono i suoi interni

Mazda Taiki

The new Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid is equipped with a transverse hydrogen rotary engine, featuring Mazda’s hydrogen/gasoline dual-fuel system. The hybrid system efficiently converts energy from hydrogen combustion to electricity and uses it to power the motor. This vehicle promotes practical use thanks to an extended hydrogen-fueled range, and enhanced driving performance and packaging. Leasing is now planned to commence in 2008.

The G4e is a follow-up to Subaru’s earlier R1e, which has been jointly developed with Tokyo Electric Power, the giant Japanese utility company.

The heart of the car is a new battery that employs vanadium to enable twice the energy density of manganese-based lithium-ion batteries. Subaru says the battery can be fully charged in 8 hours on standard household current. It can also be “quick charged” to 80 percent capacity in only 15 minutes at a mobile charging station.

The G4e has a zippy-looking compact body with a slippery drag coefficient of 0.276 and a spacious interior.

 Yamaha Tesseract

The Yamaha Tesseract concept for Tokyo Motor Show is not a motorcycle. Because it’s way more awesome than a motorcycle.

Featuring 4 wheels for enhanced stability, the frame is apparently still not much bigger than a normal bike. And somewhere in there fits two different engines, one gasoline of undisclosed size and another electrical (to dual impress biker chicks and eco babes, though probably offering some impressive performance payoffs as well). The important note to remember is that the Tesseract is not a motorcycle. Please spread the word and make sure every wife knows it while we pray Yamaha actually puts the…vehicle…into production.

We’re also hoping to see the Tesseract transform into a Gundam robot and fulfill its true destiny.

Honda’s showing this year why they’re the leaders in development of concept cars with no discernible edges with this concept car built for this year’s Tokyo Auto Show later this month. It’s called the PUYO, a Japanese onomatopoeia expressing the sensation of — please don’t laugh here — the design team worked very hard on it — “touching the vehicle’s soft body.” Seriously. The PUYO’s meant to convey a warm, friendly impression and bring together ‘clean’, ’safe’ and ‘fun’ functionality in an environmentally responsible, people-friendly minimalist design featuring an ultra-high efficiency, small frame and fuel cell technology. Even the drivetrain’s minimal — a joystick for intuitive operation are all designed to gently support occupants’ senses and of course, as it’s the Tokyo Auto Show — their gamer sensibilities. Full release after the jump.

The first-generation Pivo made its debut at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Show. The latest iteration features what Nissan describes as “revolutionary technology” that allows the cabin part of the car to rotate in a complete circle. The Pivo 2’s wheels also turn 90 degrees to allow the car to “drive sideways as well as forward.” Each of the four wheels is powered by the company’s advanced electric in-wheel 3D motor.

Like the original Pivo, the Pivo 2 is powered by advanced compact lithium-ion batteries. It is said to travel about 78 miles on a single charge and plugs into a regular home electric socket.

One of the most intriguing parts of the Pivo 2 concept is the “robotic agent.” Nissan says, “You are never alone in the Pivo 2,” which is either reassuring or creepy, depending on your point of view. The robotic head says preprogrammed phrases such as, “Relax, don’t worry,” if the driver seems upset. The driver’s facial expressions are analyzed by the robotic bobblehead’s digital camera eyes and a microphone that studies the driver’s voice for changes in volume and speaking speed.

Our team hasn’t even arrived in Frankfurt yet and news is already starting to trickle out about the next big show on the circuit. The Tokyo Motor Show is coming up in October and Mitsubishi has let out some information about their debuts. One of the premieres will be a battery-powered 2+2 coupe dubbed the i MiEV Sport.

The lithium ion battery-powered, all wheel drive coupe will use a pair of in-wheel motors in the front corners along with a third motor driving the rear wheels. Helping the coupe reach its 120 mile range are photovoltaic solar cells mounted in the roof and LED lighting. Additional power comes from a generating fan mounted in the front grille. There are more details in the press release after the jump.

The Tokyo show just wouldn’t be complete without a concept so outrageous and unthinkable that it would cause you to question the sanity of its designers. Luckily, Toyota stepped up to the plate with its RiN concept, which can be summed up as a greenhouse on wheels. Some of its earth-inspired goodies include leaf shaped foot pedals and a steering wheel that can tell how you’re feeling.
Most of us are used to hearing about horsepower, top-speed and lap-times, but the entire philosophy of the RiN concept does away with all that. Instead, the focus of the RiN is to make its occupants feel more in “harmony” with nature. The windows, for example, extend all the way around to create a glass floor to view the road below you.

In fact, most of the features of the RiN are in place to make its occupants feel more relaxed and promote physical and mental well-being. If Toyota could implement a few of the less crazy ideas into future models then perhaps in the not too distant future we will see a world without road rage, and happy, smiling faces in every car. Don’t hold your breath.

Suzuki PIXY(left) & Suzuki SSC(right)

Fellow blogger, Alex Nunez says that the Suzuki SSC is “a geometric, omnidirectional ‘mothership’”. We won’t argue with that description, but we’ll add that it kinda looks like an upside-down Jawa Sandcrawler from Star Wars too. Another thing that the SSC, or Suzuki Sharing Coach, has in common with the Sandcrawler: it houses droids. Well, sort of. The accompanying Suzuki PIXY houses a human occupant, but we won’t hold that against it ’cause it’s just a concept after all.

While we’re comparing the SSC with other vehicles, why not draw some attention to the Opel Flextreme which was just shown off at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Like the SSC, the Flextreme also excretes human transporters from its hind-quarters. Consider too that Toyota has been showing off the i-Swing single-seater since ‘05. Do we spot an emerging trend here?

The Mazda Taiki concept was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show this week. According to Mazda, the design "was inspired by the image of a pair of Hagoromo – the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend." The car also showcases Mazda’s next-generation Renesis rotary engine. More over at Jalopnik.

Mazda unveiled their latest concept car today for journalists touring their Yokohama, Japan, facilities. The Mazda Taiki follows in the path of Mazda’s “flow” design concept with elements of real-world technologies.

The Taiki is equipped with a next-generation RENESIS rotary engine under the hood, which Mazda claims “sets new standards for environmental and driving performance.” Mazda’s rear-wheel-drive concept is a two-seater inside a body that looks light as air.

Not surprisingly, the nose of the Taiki is similar to previous Mazda concept Ryuga. The new car also looks to be a more refined sibling of the Nagare concept. Both the Ryuga and Nagare were introduced under the “flow” design banner.

The Japanese word “Taiki” roughly translates to atmosphere. Mazda used this name to equate the car’s stretched cabin, short overhangs, and glass canopy with the “protective mantle” around Earth.

One of the key differences from previous concept cars is the Taiki’s rear wheels, which seem to stick out a bit, and are covered by a sort-of simulated wheel well. The effect of this is the illusion that the rear wheels are not protected as part of the chassis, but if you look at a picture of the car from behind the wheels look more integrated.

The inspiration behind Taiki’s exterior came from the idea of two floating Hagoromo, “the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend,” states the press release. When thinking about the interior, designers looked to the Japanese koinobori carp streamers, and decided to try and create a space depicting the flowing wind.

The Taiki will be debuted to the public at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show.

Mazda also introduced the Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, which the company claims gets 40% better output compared to the RX-8 Hydrogen RE. The end result is faster acceleration and a fuel range of roughly 200 km (124 mi). Five adults should be able to sit comfortably into this hydrogen/gas hybrid.

The Premacy has a rotary engine that rests in a transverse layout, intake/exhaust resistance and combustion efficiency seeing solid output at different engine speed. Ultimately, the car is believed to have a quick responsiveness along with high energy efficiency.

The car also has a lithium-ion battery that recharges from the car’s braking, and is used for the car’s electric motor. The electric motor also derives power from the rotary engine.

Although the engine runs on hydrogen, it can be switched to gas when the hydrogen runs out.

The Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid will be available in Japan next year, at a leasing cost of around $3,500 per month. The car is being targeted towards government and ecological agencies. It will also see its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show.

The Taiki and Premacy are another step in an awfully busy period for Mazda. The brand new Mazda Atenza was just introduced at Frankfurt, with expectations to be available for order soon. Atenza comes as either a four-door sedan, five-door sport hatchback, or sport wagon, and is expected to be more economical. This despite its 2.5litre engine that supposedly provides more torque, more response, and more acceleration.

A new “sporty version” of Atenza will also be debuted in Tokyo, with larger bumpers, premium grille, and side spoilers.

World Car Fans

Large images: