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Small Lessons from a Kei Truck by Keith Hopper

A guest message by Keith Hopper

Novice Buddhist Meets Subtle Mechanical Teacher—Insights Delivered with a Wink 

Buddhism, a vaguely mysterious element of my childhood, happily included Sansei friends. Their parents were kind, there was a sense of order in their homes and cool machine shops, and an atmosphere of gentle welcome. Fresh pillowcases when I slept over; waves and smiles from the fields, always in the fields in rubber boots.

As I considered the IOBT online sangha, I parted with a precious Inspiration Yellow Thunderbird named "Tweety." Well-kept and hard-driven, it was time. Getting in and out became a challenge and a spectacle. In Tweety’s absence, my heart longed for one thing—a Japanese kei (small) truck. My son "diplomatically" conveyed concern and asked about my meds; my daughter was relieved I didn’t buy the hearse (lovely, elegant, with good cargo capacity).

Why? Just look. When I park in a row of Corvettes, Mustangs, and massive Harleys, it gets mobbed. It’s a magnet. People point and smile, take photos in front of it. 

 A Kei Truck parked in parking lot surrounded by much larger trucks

I answer the same questions:

Q: What is it?
A: 1997 Subaru Sambar (deer) from Japan.


Q: How fast does it go?
A: 72 mph once when I took a wrong turn and got on I-95.


Q: Is it safe?
A: No.


Q: What kind of motor?
A: 4-cylinder inline 658 cc gasoline fearsome Clover motor, rear engine, 40 horsepower.


Q: Does it get 50 mpg?
A: Half that. It’s a truck, not a toy. It’ll haul Granny’s piano!


Q: Is it hard to drive on the right and shift on the left?
A: No, but going back to the Ford, I signal with my wipers.


Q: Does it have a name?
A: It answers to Les.


Q: Is it good for anything?
A: Best beach car ever, and it makes me happy!


Q: Can you recommend a dealer?
A: No.


Q: How much did it cost?
A: Close to a quarter of the cost of a Tundra or Bronco, and that’s with an engine swap that included air-freight from Japan.

A Kei Truck carrying a large table in its truck bed

Buying, sorting out, repairing, and driving the car seemed to follow my awkward Buddhist studies. The unpretentious, capable little truck embodies Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, as well as the culture that designs and builds it.

It caught my eye. I wanted something to tinker with. Expectations modest, this car gives me a chance to use a phrase: damnably intelligent. The vehicle, and its ancestors and relatives, are the outcome of thoughtful, pragmatic design and steady improvement over generations. Bright engineers and skilled hands made this 1997 model, the fifth generation (new models are the eighth).

After two years, each time I drive it or fiddle with it, I see or learn something new, so I describe it as diabolically clever. My vintage motorhome taught me carpentry, plumbing, electricals, and passing mechanical skills. The Sambar resumes this instruction on two levels—practical and transcendent. There are scoops out of door panels where your foot wants to catch when you exit. The tiny interior somehow feels larger with everything precisely at hand. There is a small plastic receiver under the dash for a mandatory emergency flare. Pop the durable black plastic engine hatch on the rear to perform most any maintenance; a bed floor cover exposes mechanicals.

Not a toy, it is a tough, capable truck, shrewdly designed, well-made, and durable. The air conditioning (AC) is impressive in a hot, humid area, in an underpowered vehicle—a marvel of design. Unlike many U.S. market full-size pickups, there is no pretense except plainness and flirtatious cuteness. They clean up good and all brands have the same boxy silhouette. Larger U.S. pickups compete to announce virility with chrome and dazzle and have masculine names—Ram, Maverick, Gladiator, Ranger. Kei trucks have lighthearted names like Acty, Carry, Clipper, and Scrum.

In Japan, the little hustlers find work not just on farms, the fishing industry, and for deliveries, but also as fire trucks, milk trucks, snowplows, construction vehicles, dump trucks, crane platforms, campers, landscape and golf course workhands. They haul impressive loads of firewood, appliances, and manure. College campuses use kei trucks, suited to walkways and winding roads, and able to carry mixed cargo quickly and efficiently. In the U.S. and other countries, they are made into mobile food kitchens of all sorts (tacos to tofu), appearing at fairs, outdoor shows and events, and sports arenas, drawing customers with pure adorability.

A kei truck holding a full load of gear including a large tire

With a standard six-foot bed, just under five feet wide, and sides/tailgate that fold down or disappear to make a low flat-bed truck, a sheet of plywood fits nicely with the tailgate down or off. For comparison, bed size in the full-size Chevy Silverado double cab is about the same; however, the low bed of the kei is a major advantage. Ingenious plastic crates (keitora bins), somewhat larger than familiar American milk crates, are designed to fit perfectly. They can be stacked and arranged for the needs of painters, paramedics, and poultry farmers.

Kei trucks are seen now across the U.S. as familiar brands including Subaru, Toyota (Daihatsu), Honda, Suzuki, and Mazda. Regulated to be uniformly made as wisely specified since 1949, they are practical (with a modest-size motorcycle motor and lots of shifting). Well-fitted to narrow roads, farms, and congested cities, beds at knee height, they are right-hand drive, two or four-wheel drive. U.S. regulations vary by state; some prohibit on-road licensing.

Lessons Learned

 Community: Devoted Sambar owners on Facebook made this small dream happen with expert advice, personal anecdotes, and encouragement. This is my experience in a happily eclectic online sangha.

 Having not seen one up close and relying on my experience of honesty in my community of origin, I did not do thorough homework. I learned that kei importers may be as dubious as the reputation of used car dealers everywhere.

 Before encountering Jodo Shinshu, I learned to respect what I called the “souls of machines.” Machinery responds to neglect and to attention, and this goes deeper than lubricants and driving habits. This little truck enjoys the work and appreciates our rapport. It got me home safe when an undisclosed previous condition destroyed its original motor. Likewise, it was a pleasure to find that personal odd habits like thanking a pair of shoes and mourning a favorite coat are found in Jodo Shinshu (Kubose, 2004).

 It is old, it fits together, and it just works. I chose this vehicle because it had exceptionally low mileage but learned this was because it was abused; it spent a decade sitting in a soybean field. Ahem. Yet as I slowly came to understand its nature and its mechanicals, I marveled that everything works or was readily repaired. Lights, wiper washers, speedo, radio, dash lights and gauges, seat belt alarm, and things that might be worn out in a car of this age—worked, still do.

 Does it fit? Oddly enough, it seems to fit me perfectly. No struggling—open door, slide over and go without bending into a pretzel shape. Even as a novice right-hand driver I do pretty well.

A silver kei truck viewed from behind in a parking and not taking up the full parking space demonstrating its compact size

Qualities the truck shares with a beginner's grasp of Buddhism include:

 Intelligent, understated: 

Kei truck: Intended for work, focused on utility, few frills. 

Buddhism: No bombast or spin, gets to the point with minimal fuss and verbiage.

 Flexible, versatile: 

Kei: Quick, maneuverable, fun. Adaptable to a range of needs and circumstances, anticipated or not.

Buddhism: Ditto—facilitates ordinary life including work, relationships, attitude, ethics, and also regrettable events and circumstances. Variations between Buddhist branches (or sects) share a common set of principles and attitudes, starting with compassion and gratitude.

 Simple, efficient:

Kei: I say it’s a “real car” made for the farm with essential features for operation; lap belts, but not airbags.

Buddhism: Necessary and sufficient, just enough, but no more, a noble quality of skillful writing with readers’ needs first. Buddhist writings tend to be clear and brief.

 Resilient (tough):

Kei: Rides like a hay wagon but hauls anything while taking the bumps and weather in stride.

Buddhism: Ditto, including the hay wagon analogy at times.

 Forgiving:

Kei: At minimum 25 years, it stands up to hard work and (my) tinkering.

Buddhism: By definition; you may be called a foolish being, but not a wicked sinner awaiting eternal damnation.

 Humble:

Kei: Looks deceptively fragile and scrawny, but accomplishes mighty feats.

Buddhism: Ditto ditto ditto.

 Happy in its work:

Kei: A bit slow to start some mornings, but then shows a perky enthusiasm for life.

Buddhism: The “just happy to be here” joy of learning, presence, and caring. This truck in its steady, earnest, upbeat way, is a role model and teacher for this student of Jodo Shinshu. It offers a direct, tangible, and very enjoyable way to ponder Buddhism, and how things work.

Not for everybody, a kei truck gives this novice useful insights and a pretty good time along the way. I appreciate its place in my journey as I appreciate what I learn and try out in my Jodo Shinshu encounter.

Kei truck in parking garage next to a full size American Pick-up

Buddhism, like my Sambar, makes me happy.

Keith

A picture of the author, Keith, wearing shorts and a Hawaiian print shirt

 

*** Special thanks to seasoned Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Joseph Gotchy, thorough, able editor and bighearted teacher. ***