At the previous MOONEYES Christmas Party, Hiro “Wildman” Ishii, MOONEYES’ artist and pinstriper, customized our “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book. We were inspired to have it done after a MOONEYES fan bought our book at the earlier Yokohama Hot Rod Custom Show and then had it decorated by Wildman. We thought it was a brilliant idea and wanted one of our own.
Wildman has been working with MOONEYES for more than 35 years, creating art and design for the company and pinstriping cars and collectibles for clients. Originally a sign painter in Japan, Wildman met Shige Suganuma, the Owner of MOONEYES Japan, when he was searching for a car and later started working for him.
Shige knew legendary Ed Roth, an artist, pinstriper, show car designer, and the creator of counter culture icon Rat Fink. Shige naturally introduced Wildman to Ed. Not knowing any English, Wildman traveled all the way from Japan to Utah, where Ed was living, to meet him and learn more about pinstriping. Astounded, Ed called him a “wildman,” and the nickname stuck.
Wildman would go on to become one of the first pinstripers in Japan and internationally renown for his artwork. Now, Wildman is a fixture at all of MOONEYES’ big events, pinstriping cars and other memorabilia for happy MOONEYES fans. We’re excited to finally own a piece of artwork by Wildman.
To buy the “Craft of Speed” MOONEYES Photography Book (artwork by Wildman not included):
https://www.craftofspeed.com/store/photographybook