Ken Okuyama readying minimalist Kode9 sportscar for Tokyo

When one thinks of design houses and small-volume specialty automaking, one rarely thinks of Japan. Designer Ken Okuyama is out to change that perception, but that doesn't mean he hasn't honed his talents in the Italian way, having worked for Pininfarina, where he oversaw the design of such cars as the Ferrari Enzo, 599 and James Glickenhouse' P4/5 one-off. He started his own design firm back in 2006, Ken Okuyama Design, and promptly wowed us with his KO. 7 Spider, a carbon-fiber and polished aluminum masterwork in the mold of the Lotus 7.

The KO.7 debuted at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008, and now Okuyama has announced he'll be debuting his next work, Kode9, at his home Tokyo Motor Show later this week. We don't have much to go on as far as the car's looks and construction goes, but Okuyama has released the teaser drawing above, and he's also promising that his show stand will feature a lightweight racing version of the K0.7, dubbed "Kode7 Clubman" (shown inset, right) along with a tractor(!) commissioned by agricultural equipment firm Yanmar and various bits of Okuyama-penned furniture and accessories.

With all of those seemingly disparate elements on display in one stand (along with knowledge that Okuyama is big into eyewear design and he's also redesigning a train for the East Japan Railway Company), one might think that his priorities are less than focused, but the K0.7 was about as exactingly conceived and well-finished a showcar as we've ever seen from a small independent. We are no less excited about seeing his latest Kode9 and KO.7 Clubman creations this week.