In 2003, Hisashi Ushida opened Cholos, a custom garage in Nagoya.
In 2003, Hisashi Ushida opened Cholos, a custom garage in Nagoya.
Hisashi Ushida
A day out with the Pharaohs, one of Japan's oldest lowrider clubs.
A day out with the Pharaohs, one of Japan's oldest lowrider clubs.
Hisashi Ushida
In the mid-1980s, at the height of the country's bubble economy, Japanese car enthusiasts started importing models such as the Impala and the Chevrolet, replete with Chicano artwork and hydraulics.
In the mid-1980s, at the height of the country's bubble economy, Japanese car enthusiasts started importing models such as the Impala and the Chevrolet, replete with Chicano artwork and hydraulics.
Hisashi Ushida
Small trucks are often a way into customization said Pharaoh's member Hishashi Ushida.
Small trucks are often a way into customization said Pharaoh's member Hishashi Ushida.
Courtesy Luke Dorsett
A gold-colored 1954 Chevrolet 210, christened "Sphinx," squats either side of "Eltesoro," a creamy green 1936 Dodge sedan, and "La Vida Rosa," a bright pink 1954 Mercury Monterey.
A gold-colored 1954 Chevrolet 210, christened "Sphinx," squats either side of "Eltesoro," a creamy green 1936 Dodge sedan, and "La Vida Rosa," a bright pink 1954 Mercury Monterey.
Courtesy Hisashi Ushida
"When it first started in Japan, the cars would go over there and look exactly the same as in America. They wouldn't modify them or change them that much, so the artwork on the cars would look like they were Chicana," said Luke Dorsett.
"When it first started in Japan, the cars would go over there and look exactly the same as in America. They wouldn't modify them or change them that much, so the artwork on the cars would look like they were Chicana," said Luke Dorsett.
Hisashi Ushida
"What ended up happening later was the artwork would depict the owner. They started putting their own twist on it. That's been exciting to see."
"What ended up happening later was the artwork would depict the owner. They started putting their own twist on it. That's been exciting to see."
Hisashi Ushida
A Lincoln Mark IV on show in Japan.
A Lincoln Mark IV on show in Japan.
Courtesy Luke Dorsett
Lowriding was first popularized in southern California in the 1940s, when Mexican-Americans emblazoned US-made cars with vivid designs and colors, customizing them to cruise "low and slow."
Lowriding was first popularized in southern California in the 1940s, when Mexican-Americans emblazoned US-made cars with vivid designs and colors, customizing them to cruise "low and slow."
Hisashi Ushida
"There's the pleasure that comes with driving a cruiser but also the excitement that goes with customization," said Hisashi Ushida.
"There's the pleasure that comes with driving a cruiser but also the excitement that goes with customization," said Hisashi Ushida.
Hisashi Ushida
"In America, lowrider culture is not only about customizing cars, it's about fashion, music, and family," said Shigeru Sato, of Stylish Car Club in Osaka, Japan.
"In America, lowrider culture is not only about customizing cars, it's about fashion, music, and family," said Shigeru Sato, of Stylish Car Club in Osaka, Japan.
Hisashi Ushida
"When it first started in Japan, the cars would go over there and look exactly the same as in America. They wouldn't modify them or change them that much, so the artwork on the cars would look like they were Chicana," said Luke Dorsett.
"When it first started in Japan, the cars would go over there and look exactly the same as in America. They wouldn't modify them or change them that much, so the artwork on the cars would look like they were Chicana," said Luke Dorsett.
Hisashi Ushida
With about 25 members, Pharaohs is fairly typical of Japan's male-dominated car clubs.
With about 25 members, Pharaohs is fairly typical of Japan's male-dominated car clubs.
Courtesy Hisashi Ushida
We go cruising, go for picnics and, occasionally, we have meet-ups and parties or barbecues with other car clubs," Ushida said.
We go cruising, go for picnics and, occasionally, we have meet-ups and parties or barbecues with other car clubs," Ushida said.
Hisashi Ushida
Much like in east Los Angeles, lowriding in Japan offers a sense of community and identity, said lowrider photographer Luke Dorsett, who sees a "spiritual connection" between Chicano and Japanese cultures.
Much like in east Los Angeles, lowriding in Japan offers a sense of community and identity, said lowrider photographer Luke Dorsett, who sees a "spiritual connection" between Chicano and Japanese cultures.
Hisashi Ushida
The "Sphinx", a 1954 Chevrolet 210.
The "Sphinx", a 1954 Chevrolet 210.
Courtesy Hisashi Ushida
Show time. A lowrider convention in Japan.
Show time. A lowrider convention in Japan.
Courtesy Luke Dorsett
"You have two cultures that are into handcrafted art," said the Phoenix-based photographer Luke Dorsett. "They're both very oriented to detail."
"You have two cultures that are into handcrafted art," said the Phoenix-based photographer Luke Dorsett. "They're both very oriented to detail."
Courtesy Hisashi Ushida
In 2003 Hisashi Ushida opened Cholos, a custom garage in Nagoya.
In 2003 Hisashi Ushida opened Cholos, a custom garage in Nagoya.
Courtesy Hisashi Ushida
In the mid-1980s, at the height of the country's bubble economy, Japanese car enthusiasts started importing models such as the Impala and the Chevrolet.
In the mid-1980s, at the height of the country's bubble economy, Japanese car enthusiasts started importing models such as the Impala and the Chevrolet.
Courtesy Hisashi Ushida