Draft:Atsushi Ichijo
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Atsushi Ichijō (一條 厚 (Ichijō Atsushi), born 1948 in Iwate Prefecture, Japan)[1][2] is a Japanese motorcycle designer and industrial engineer, best known for his leadership in the design of the original first-generation Vmax, introduced in 1985.[3]
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Biography
[edit]Ichijō graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts and began his design career at GK Industrial Design Associates in 1978.[2] In 1980, he was posted to GK Design International in the U.S., where he participated in the development of the first Vmax for Yamaha Motor Company.[2] Upon returning to Japan, he designed a wide array of Yamaha products—ranging from SRX[2] and cruiser motorcycles to snowmobiles, ATVs, generators, and show models such as the XS‑V1 Sakura, Y125 MOEGI, and XTW250 RYOKU,[2] and later became the President and CEO of GK Dynamics Co. Ltd, until his retirement in 2018.[1][2][4]
Yamaha Vmax development
[edit]The Vmax was created in the early 1980s by a team led by Akira Araki, with Atsushi Ichijō credited as the Yamaha designer driving its concept and aesthetics, supported by input from product planner Ed Burke and stylist John Reed.[5][6]
The Vmax stayed in production from 1985 until 2007 with minimal changes;[7] its styling and acceleration made it an instant classic despite criticism for soft suspension and limited cornering ability.[6]
Design philosophy
[edit]Ichijō’s design philosophy emphasized merging aesthetic beauty with functional performance.[8] drawing inspiration from aerodynamics and his childhood memories from living close to a U.S. Air base[2][9] as well as his firsthand experience riding across the U.S. on an XS650.[2]
Legacy and influence
[edit]The original Yamaha Vmax (1985–2007) has developed a strong following. While the model was initially aimed at the U.S. market, it has found enduring popularity in Europe, where owners’ clubs, custom builds, and annual gatherings have sustained interest in the motorcycle long after production ended. Vmax/VMAX meetings are held regularly in countries including Belgium, Germany, France, the Netherlands, UK, and across Scandinavia, which Ichijō himself has visited on occasion.[10][11]
Involvement in Yamaha VMAX Gen 2 (2009)
[edit]The second-generation VMAX (capitalised in marketing as VMAX), often referred to as the Gen 2, launched in 2009, was developed by a new team of designers within Yamaha and GK Dynamics.[12]
Ichijō, at the time managing director of GK Dynamics,[12] is not officially credited with an operative role in the company's design of the second-generation model. However, the 2009 VMAX[13] retained several design elements reminiscent of the original, such as muscular proportions, air intake scoops, exposed mechanical components, and a performance-focused stance.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "About Atsushi Ichijo". motor-fan.jp (in jp). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h "Atsushi Ichijo – Norimonogatari: The Life of a Designer". Yamaha Motor Global. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ See also: Yamaha VMAX
- ^ "Retirement Lecture: Norimonogatari by Atsushi Ichijo". GK Design Group. 11 March 2019. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ "Yamaha V-Max". specs.motorcycles. Retrieved 2025-08-01.
- ^ a b c Gardiner, Mark (2008-06-04). "2009 Star VMAX Preview". Motorcycle.com. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ "YAMAHA VMAX Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos". autoEvolution. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ "GK Report Vol.16: Shaping Dynamic Design" (PDF). GK Design Group. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ Ichijo, Atsushi. "A story of love for vehicles [Motorcycle Designer's Design Talk Vol. 1]". motor-fan.jp (in jp and English). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Nordic Vmax Meet 2025 and 40 year anniversary of the original Vmax". motouutiset.fi. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ "Nordic Vmax Meet - the annual Scandinavian Vmax meeting". nordicvmaxmeet.com. Retrieved 2025-07-31.
- ^ a b "Yamaha releases new flagship large motorcycle model "VMAX"". afpbb.com (in jp). 10 March 2009. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "Yamaha VMAX - design of Japans dynamism" (PDF). gk-design.co.jp (in jp). Retrieved 2025-08-01.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link)
External links
[edit]- Atsushi Ichijo – Yamaha Motor Global Design Story – Yamaha’s official profile on Ichijō and his role in developing the original Vmax.
- Retirement lecture at GK Design: “Norimonogatari” – Highlights from Ichijō’s retirement lecture reflecting on his design career.
- GK Report Vol.16: “Shaping Dynamic Design” (PDF) – Bilingual design journal discussing Ichijō’s design philosophy. (PDF)
- Yamaha’s V‑Max was the motorcycle that thought it was a muscle car – Hagerty – Overview of the Vmax’s impact and legacy.
- 2009 Star VMAX Preview – Motorcycle.com – Preview of the redesigned 2009 model.