Traditional Japanese style is known for its minimalism, zen aesthetics, simplicity and sense of space. Eastern European duo Artem Smirnov and Vladimir Panchenko have showcased their “Motorbike from Great Japan”, in which they adhered to key Japanese elements like the samurai spirit and the art of origami during the design process. The pair have noticed that nowadays the traditional, original approach is rarely used by Japanese automakers as the European brands have had a huge influence; their concept is a response to that.

The original idea came about when practicing origami back in the pair’s university days. “I did not like the course, because it was difficult to provide a method of folding in the [mind]. Only now do I understand that I [was trying to] say too much in a single object and tried to make a super complex shape,” says Smirnov. The duo has clearly learned from their lectures and indeed managed to create a concept with clean lines and perfect neatness, while keeping the strength of a samurai underneath.