San Mamiya is a brilliant artist from Japan that operates mainly on Instagram. With an apparent fondness for old cars, bosozoku cats and the superdeformed style that populates manga, his illustrations exhibit a unique Nihon style that can probably be loosely described as Japanese Ed Roth.
![Datsun Sunny B210 Datsun Sunny B210](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Datsun-Sunny-B210.jpg?w=423&h=423&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota 2000GT Toyota 2000GT](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-2000GT.jpg?w=209&h=210&ssl=1)
![Toyota Sports 800 Toyota Sports 800](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Sports-800.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota Chaser X40 Toyota Chaser X40](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Chaser-X40.jpg?w=209&h=210&ssl=1)
![Datsun 240Z Datsun 240Z](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Datsun-240Z.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Suzuki Carry L50 Suzuki Carry L50](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Suzuki-Carry-L50.jpg?w=423&h=423&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Datsun 510 BRE Datsun 510 BRE](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Datsun-510-BRE.jpg?w=210&h=209&ssl=1)
![Suzuki Jimny Suzuki Jimny](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Suzuki-Jimny.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota Crown S130 Wagon Toyota Crown S130 Wagon](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Crown-S130-Wagon.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
In lots of — and by lots of I mean most — automotive art, it’s just a hyper-realistic painting of a car. It’s the “Here is a car” style. San Mamiya captures slices of Japanese culture and tuning styles and make them come alive with color and emotion.
![Nissan Bluebird 510 Nissan Bluebird 510](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Nissan-Bluebird-510.jpg?w=423&h=423&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota Crown S60 Toyota Crown S60](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Crown-S60.jpg?w=209&h=210&ssl=1)
![Mazda RX3 Savanna Mazda RX3 Savanna](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mazda-RX3-Savanna.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota Corolla E70 Toyota Corolla E70](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Corolla-E70.jpg?w=210&h=209&ssl=1)
![Nissan FairladyZ S30 Nissan FairladyZ S30](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Nissan-FairladyZ-S30.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Suzuki Alto HC11V Suzuki Alto HC11V](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Suzuki-Alto-HC11V.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Mazda RX7 FC Mazda RX7 FC](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mazda-RX7-FC-e1426142467461.jpg?w=298&h=227&ssl=1)
![Mitsubishi Galant Lambda Mitsubishi Galant Lambda](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mitsubishi-Galant-Lambda-e1426142444174.jpg?w=334&h=227&ssl=1)
The proportions may be cartoonish, but the details are indisputable. From Okamoto Condom decals on an FC to a seriously proper zokusha based on a Galant Lambda to an RX-3 in Katayama’s racing livery, he gets the finer points right.
san_mamiya is obviously a close watcher of car culture on American shores. The Hot Wheels Mad Manga even makes an appearance.
![Datsun 510 Datsun 510](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Datsun-510.jpg?w=423&h=423&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota Cressida X30 Toyota Cressida X30](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Cressida-X30.jpg?w=209&h=210&ssl=1)
![Datsun 510 sedan Datsun 510 sedan](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Datsun-510-sedan.jpg?w=209&h=209&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Mazda RX7 SA22 Mazda RX7 SA22](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Mazda-RX7-SA22.jpg?w=316&h=316&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota Cressida X70 Toyota Cressida X70](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Cressida-X70.jpg?w=316&h=316&crop=1&ssl=1)
Perhaps best of all, San Mamiya takes commissions. Simply contact him via his Instagram account and make your request. When he reaches 20, he closes the list until he can finish the artwork. Then the request line opens again.
![Toyota Prius Toyota Prius](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Prius.jpg?w=247&h=247&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Nissan Juke R Nissan Juke R](https://i0.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Nissan-Juke-R.jpg?w=247&h=247&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Toyota Cressida X60 Toyota Cressida X60](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Toyota-Cressida-X60.jpg?w=385&h=498&ssl=1)
![Honda Tact AF09 Honda Tact AF09](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Honda-Tact-AF09.jpg?w=411&h=411&crop=1&ssl=1)
![Chevy Corvette C2 Chevy Corvette C2](https://i2.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Chevy-Corvette-C2-e1426146556569.jpg?w=221&h=186&ssl=1)
![Ford Mustang Boss 302 Ford Mustang Boss 302](https://i1.wp.com/JapaneseNostalgicCar.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Ford-Mustang-Boss-302.jpg?w=221&h=221&crop=1&ssl=1)
San Mamiya’s talents aren’t limited to one style. He also draws new cars, muscle cars, and even real proportioned ones. You can follow him and make commission requests via Instagram or Tumblr.
Awesome…and I see a 620 in there too.
Bryan is mislabeled. He is a Mazda RX7 FB. Look at the round headlights, wing and fender mirrors. I was all excited thinking he was an AW11 MR2 but nope. Too bad.
Good catch!
All Japanese cars are SA22C, regardless of series or early/late type. The “FB” moniker is only for the North American cars, because “FB” is in the VIN. On the other hand, the car in the drawing does seem to be LHD…
Never thought in a million years my boyfriend and I would be featured on JNC. <3 We actually commissioned san mamiya recently after acquiring an old celica and have been looking to get a datsun 620. We have both been hugely influenced by the JNC scene and we both have been long time readers. Keep up the awesome work guys. Your coverage always inspires us.
-Kaiyin and Guinness
PS- http://imgur.com/706daug (our recent addition to the family)
Thanks! I love the details on the Celica like the mis-matched fender and yellow lights. Post a pic if you have one. Congrats on the fleet!
I follow him on Insta…love his work!!
Beautiful work!! Definitely the “Big Daddy Ed Roth” of Japanese car culture! I love how well they really capture the feel and romantic mental image of the trends and not just the aesthetics. Definitely looking into making a future commission for when my one-owner ’97 ES 300 turns 20!! Fox ears are a sweet touch!! And congrats on your gorgeous new baby!
ke30??? :’c
San mamiya has such an amazing talent! I commisioned him to do my 4 door 510 and sent him about 4 or 5 pictures in hopes for him to catch all the detail. He did not disappoint! ! His detail is amazing! Down to the paint damage on my rear door, the crack on my lip and the scribble on the trunk lid. He even took it a step further and included the dangered plate that I had made for car shows (our team name) I didnt ask him to add that or even send him a pic with it. He took it upon himself to look through my instagram and add more. I am also forever immortalized as a cartoon! ♡♡ as you can tell i absolutely love my drawing, ive had it printed and framed and stare at it as I walk out of my room everyday!