Nissan's Legendary 'Takumi' Who Hand-Build Every Nissan GT-R Engine

At Nissan's expansive engine factory in Yokohama, Japan, four men have been designated as 'takumi'. In Japan the term takumi is used to describe a master craftsman who has perfected his skills over years of painstaking work and dedication. These four men are the sole assemblers of the engines that power one of the most heralded sports cars in automotive history, the Nissan GT-R. The four takumi of Nissan's Yokohama plant are Takumi Kurosawa, Tsunemi Ooyama, Izumo Shioya and Nobumitsu Gozu. Collectively they share over 100 years of exceptional work in their chosen field. These engine craftsmen are responsible for hand-building every breathtaking 550PS twin-turbocharged V-6 engine found beneath the hood of the Nissan GT-R, from production vehicles to racecars. Each engine is assembled with care and precision by one of these four individuals.

OneShift Editorial Team

18 Sep 2013

Once an engine is completed, the takumi craftsman proudly mounts a plaque bearing his name upon the completed masterpiece, serving as a timeless reminder of the high level of craftsmanship and expertise that went into each work.

Many Nissan GT-R owners have visited the Yokohama plant to meet the takumi engine builder who hand-assembled their Nissan GT-R’s engine. Nissan’s Yokohama plant is a model of both technology and efficiency within the industry. In its nearly eight decades in existence, it has produced more than 35 million engines, including the exceptionally-capable VR38 that powers the legendary GT-R.

“Yokohama is the plant where our company was established, and we’re proud to make Nissan’s flagship engine here. It represents the pinnacle of the Nissan brand,” said Nobuhiro Ozawa, Yokohama plant manager. “We adhere the nameplates of the takumi who hand-built these engines and put their souls into each one with a sense of responsibility.”

Credits: Oneshift News Team