Blog: Japanese Craftsmanship

2003 Toyota Highlander

My "daily drive" is this Japanese-made 2003 Toyota Highlander with over 290,000 miles on it.  It runs great.  It looks good.  This car has been amazingly dependable with few issues over the years other than occasional repairs.  And, it's fun to drive.

The inside still looks great, too!

 

I see first generation Highlanders like mine on the road all the time.  I see very few cars from other manufactures from 2003 on the road today.  None really.

A few months ago I had to replace the alternator.  It didn't fail catastrophically.  It was gradually failing.  The mechanic commented that it was the original alternator.  He was impressed that it had lasted over 20 years.

I recently put new tires on the Highlander; Goodrich  Advantage T/A Sport LT.  The Highlander drives like new.  The tires are quiet with great handling.  It's been unstoppable in the snow it's 4-wheel drive and the new tires.

Shokunin is a Japanese term for a craftsman or artisan.  It embodies a dedication to mastering a trade.  There is a social responsibility to do the best possible work for the larger benefit of  society.  There is a discipline to be honest and humble with a passion for one's trade.

I see and feel it every time I drive my car.

 

PS:  Another example of Japanese craftsmanship is my Technics CD player: 

Technics 5-disc CD Changer Model SL-PD847

I've had this player since it was new in 1994.  I love listening to music.  If I'm home, I play it almost everyday.  That is over 30 years of use.

The sound quality is excellent.  Yes, it does matter even though it's a digital format.  It comes down to the quality of the digital-to-analog converter (DAC).  There are significant and easy-to-hear differences is quality.  Technics' MASH DAC is one of the best.

This Technics CD player is another example of Japanese Shokunin; there is passion for perfection with a deep respect to the consumer.  I would bow before the makers of this.

 

PPS:  Rubber belts:

So a couple years ago, I turn on my Technics CD changer. It doesn't work.  It powers up but nothing responds.  I first thought was after 30 years, it was done.

Then I thought of something I've run into before; broken belts.  Most electronics of this era have belts as part of any moving mechanism.  So I disassembled it.  Of course the maker's Shokunin had planned for this 30 years before.  Disassemble was simple with access to the belts relatively easy.  Sure enough, the problem was a broken belt.

The red arrow points to the culprit; a broken belt

A Google search can find belts for most electronic devices.  There are people who put together kits with the belts for specific devices.  I found a belt kit for my Technics SL-PD847 on eBay.

 

PPPS:  My Highlander doesn't always look so perfect.  I took the pictures after washing and cleaning it one day.

I think it is on it's fourth set of floor mats.   lol