In a new series of images, London-based photographer Todd Antony documents dekotora, a Japanese subculture of decorating trucks.
In a new series of images, London-based photographer Todd Antony documents dekotora, a Japanese subculture of decorating trucks.
Todd Antony
Inspired by series of movies called "Torakku Yaro," the drivers adorn their trucks with gaudy decorations, using flourishes such as LED lights and patterned fabric.<br />
Inspired by series of movies called "Torakku Yaro," the drivers adorn their trucks with gaudy decorations, using flourishes such as LED lights and patterned fabric.
Todd Antony
Antony says that there are around 500 or 600 dekotora trucks in Japan, though there were thousands more in the subculture's heyday.
Antony says that there are around 500 or 600 dekotora trucks in Japan, though there were thousands more in the subculture's heyday.
Todd Antony
Junichi Tajima, head of a national association for dekotora enthusiasts, treats his truck like family. "The drivers look after these trucks and they adore them as living things," Antony said.
Junichi Tajima, head of a national association for dekotora enthusiasts, treats his truck like family. "The drivers look after these trucks and they adore them as living things," Antony said.
Todd Antony
"According to (the drivers), the design process basically doesn't finish. It just keeps evolving over time as they try new things. You can spend as much as $100,000 (decorating) a truck."
"According to (the drivers), the design process basically doesn't finish. It just keeps evolving over time as they try new things. You can spend as much as $100,000 (decorating) a truck."
Todd Antony
Antony says that seeing the Dekotora trucks was special. "Photography is great like that because it gives you access to people, places and situations you wouldn't otherwise have a chance to be part of. You get to see a slice of someone's life that you normally wouldn't have access to."
Antony says that seeing the Dekotora trucks was special. "Photography is great like that because it gives you access to people, places and situations you wouldn't otherwise have a chance to be part of. You get to see a slice of someone's life that you normally wouldn't have access to."
Todd Antony
Antony photographed the trucks' interiors in a warehouse to capture how they look at night. "They are all covered in lights, and it looks like the Transformers have come to life."
Antony photographed the trucks' interiors in a warehouse to capture how they look at night. "They are all covered in lights, and it looks like the Transformers have come to life."
Todd Antony
Utamaro Kai, a national association for dekotora enthusiasts, helped organize relief efforts for people affected by 2011's tsunami. "They are more than just big, shiny trucks," said Antony.
Utamaro Kai, a national association for dekotora enthusiasts, helped organize relief efforts for people affected by 2011's tsunami. "They are more than just big, shiny trucks," said Antony.
Todd Antony
"They don't just half-heartedly do it -- they take it as far as they can, which is reminiscent of lots of Japanese subcultures," said Antony.
"They don't just half-heartedly do it -- they take it as far as they can, which is reminiscent of lots of Japanese subcultures," said Antony.
Todd Antony
"The drivers said that, ideally, they'd go to the grave with their trucks," Antony said. "If you give it to someone else, it is not as meaningful because they haven't put their time and thoughts into it."
"The drivers said that, ideally, they'd go to the grave with their trucks," Antony said. "If you give it to someone else, it is not as meaningful because they haven't put their time and thoughts into it."
Todd Antony
Antony's hopes to continue exploring diverse subcultures around the world. "I'm trying to decide what to do next," the photographer said. "Throw a dart on the map and see where it lands."
Antony's hopes to continue exploring diverse subcultures around the world. "I'm trying to decide what to do next," the photographer said. "Throw a dart on the map and see where it lands."
Todd Antony