Custom kei trucks are considered an art form of its own. When we think of custom vehicles, the things that come to mind are paint jobs, new sets of rims or lights, or even engine swaps. I was doing research on custom kei trucks, and as I descended further down this rabbit hole, I came across something that utterly mystified me (in a good way). I bet you haven’t heard of kei truck gardens.
The Cultural Significance of the Garden
Gardening is a part of the culture in Japan. In the 6th or 7th century, Japanese merchants observed the gardens that were being built in China and brought the techniques that were used back to their homeland. Many of the early Japanese gardens were influenced by China. However, the gardens constructed in Japan were different. They often reflected the natural landscape of the island and included aspects of the Shinto religion. One of the Japanese words for garden (niwa, 庭) also means a place of purity. This is why many religious sites or shrines in Japan often feature gardens.
The gardens are also considered suitable places for contemplation and meditation. The landscaper takes into consideration the layout, the natural elements, and the purpose for the garden. It is a natural art form that Japanese landscapers practice today. In modern days, the gardens are in banks, government agencies, hotels, and other businesses.
The Kei Truck Garden Contest
But how did these pure gardens transition from these establishments to kei trucks? The Japan Federation of Landscape Contractors dreamed up the idea and started hosting an annual event around these alluring creations. The Kei Truck Garden Contest is an event where landscapers arrive with their mini trucks and spend hours creating gardens in the flat bed. Because there are hardly any restrictions, the landscapers are free to build their gardens with various natural elements, including rocks, aquariums, greenery, benches, and more. Entries are judged based on planning, expression, design, execution, and environment. The JFLC held the first competition back in 2016 and still hosts it anually.
The keitora garden is certainly the most unique customization of the kei truck that I’ve seen. It is an art that demonstrates a perfect synthesis of the natural world and human innovation. I’m excited to see even more unique kei truck ideas that’ll pop up in the future. What are your thoughts on kei truck gardens? Feel free to leave a comment below!
