Kenji Ekuan, Designer of the Yamaha VMAX Has Died

Mainstream news is mourning the death of Kenji Ekuan today, as the 85-year-old Japanese industrial designer is one of the most influential artists in Japan’s modern era, and is most well-known for his designing of the iconic Kikkoman soy sauce bottle.

Ekuan’s lesser-known works though include a number of motorcycle designs for Yamaha, including the now 30-year-old Yamaha VMAX motorcycle, which makes his passing even more meaningful to motorcyclists around the world.

Kenji Ekuan founded GK Industrial Design after WWII, and his company helped shape the way Japan rebuilt itself after the world war. Ekuan-san’s hand also inked the lines of the venerable Narita Express high-speed train, and just last year he was awarded the Golden Compass Award – a presitigous Italian design prize.

Ekuan’s death comes just days after Yamaha Motor Europe announced the Yamaha VMAX Carbon, a special edition carbon fiber-clad model, which was to commemorate 30 years of the VMAX model line.

We think those machines just got more special in the eyes of motorcyclists everywhere. Thanks for the tip Marcus!