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2014 AUGUST

vol. 22 Hotels to seek out again and again

Takashimaya

- Registered Tangible Cultural Property Echigo Iwamuro Spa

The search for Japan's top taste sensations!

Myou no Kunjou ďźťSpecialďź˝

It takes more than just efficiency to jump hurdles

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

QUALITY REVIEW

The pleasure of Buddhist figures that faithfully recreate 1000+ year old beauty Nanopass 34G Pen Needle for insulin shots, with a gauge pared down to the absolute minimum level of thinness Dialog

Considering the Benefit of Inconvenience

eng.jqrmag.com

vol.22 (published on August 7, 2014) C OV E R

Photography/Satoru Naiyo

C O N T E N T S 05

Other Eyes and Ears

Vol.6 Comparing Wrap Advertising, East and West

06 【Special】 It takes more than just efficiency to jump hurdles

Turning a Weakness into a Strength ● Put Inconvenience and Weakness to Practical Use for a Rich Society ● A Small Weak Robot in Your Pocket ● Designing a Weakness to Captivate People ● Art is about Changing Weaknesses into Strengths ● Weak Robots Elicit Human Strengths

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Dialog

Considering the Benefit of Inconvenience

● Developing the strengths of supposedly "weak" children ● Searching for an Oar to Paddle Across a Sea of Learning ● Protecting Life with “Bosai” Food

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QUALITY REVIEW The pleasure of Buddhist figures that faithfully recreate 1000+ year old beauty Nanopass 34G Pen Needle for insulin shots, with a gauge pared down to the absolute minimum level of thinness Hotels to seek out again and again

Takashimaya

- Registered Tangible Cultural Property Echigo Iwamuro Spa

37

The search for Japan's top taste sensations!

Myou no Kunjou

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Jun Shinozuka Editors

Jun Nakaki Lyu nari Siori Ito Masahito Kato kimiko BOTTI

Designer

Wakako Kawasaki

Web

Motoki Nakae

Translation

Manabiya Inc.

JQR editorial department

2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0064 03-3518-2270 JQR advertising department

2-1-14 Sarugakucho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 101-0064 03-3518-4488

ds Ears mon wor d n a m s gh co r Eye Othe ight throu ins tural l u c r e ~ Int

耳 異 異目 >>>

Vol.6

Other Eyes and Ears

Comparing Wrap Advertising, East and West

Japan Railway (JR) was once Japan’

it’s sometimes known) involves a very

using this wonderful catchphrase to

s state-owned railway. In other words,

public entity, visible to all, special care

advertise its role as a meeting place.

as a government entity it had no need

is required in the design and aesthetics

Having worked for many years in

to pursue profits. Since its privatization,

of such ads.

international business, this writer

however, it has become very much a

In that respect, a similar wrap

believes that globalization comes down,

for-profit enterprise. That itself is old

advertising I saw in Manhattan was

in the end, to the meeting of individuals.

news, but just last year I was surprised

particularly brilliant: A subway train

I found it especially intriguing that right

to see a train enter a station on Tokyo’

coming into Grand Central Station was

there in Manhattan, the very center of

s Yamanote Line, decked out in the

decorated with the words “GREAT

the cutthroat American business world,

familiar old chocolate-brown livery of its

HAPPENS,” followed by “WHEN

a major marketing firm had chosen to

national railway days. My surprise was

PEOPLE GET TOGETHER.”

put the importance of human

in part because I actually felt a small

But what made me smile

relationships—a concept especially

thrill upon realizing this was part of an

unexpectedly was what happened when

valued in Japanese society—front and

advertising campaign for a manufacturer

the doors of the green-colored train

center in its campaign.

of chocolates.

closed.

Ever since, I’ve noticed that these

Just as the words said, the closing

ads come in a number of versions, for

doors showed two people coming

foods, beverages, rice and even

together to shake hands, one each from

tourism. That makes sense—the railway

left and right. “What a great idea for a

is going after the advertising revenue.

public ad,” I thought, feeling my heart

That said, given that this so-called

warm at the sight. It turns out the ad

wrap advertising (or “car wrapping,” as

was placed by a hotel chain, which was

HAMAJI Michio

International business consultant. Part-time lecturer at the Bunkyo University Faculty of International Studies.

After graduating with a degree in economics from Keio University in 1965, studied at a foreign trade college before taking up a post in the Middle East in charge of oil for a trading company. At the age of forty-five, launched a new career in the information business and moved to New York. Following jobs at a translation company and Japanese-US communications firm, chose the path of self-employment in 2002. Set up the Saudi Arabian pavilion at the Aichi Expo. Has worked on a series of music videos on renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein. Japanese advisor to firms such as U.S. information systems company Cognizant and U.K. educational publisher Pearson.

2014 vol.22

05

Special

It takes more than just efficiency to jump hurdles

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

Pursuing the potential in waste, inconvenience, risk, deficiency, and weakness Post-WWII Japan built a strong economy through the pursuit of efficiency. But after the bubble burst, its economy stagnated and its society has yet to recover its vitality. Efforts are now being made to create new products and build a diverse, rich society. To this end, those that were outcast for the sake of optimization as being weak or a waste are being reassessed and utilized.

Photos/(spread) Satoru Naito, (people) Tomoya Takai　Text/Shiori Ito (JQR Editorial)

Going on a date in the days before cell

dating situations. There is no need to

phones was dramatic.

remember the exact day or time of a

Your date has yet to arrive at the

date. If you are late, you can just text

arranged place. You are sure you agreed

using Line, or any one of the many other

to meet at the South Exit of Shinjuku

messaging apps available. So there is

Station, and that you have the right day

no need to be on time. You do not even

and time. You wait 10 minutes, 20

need to feel bad about your tardiness.

minutes, but nothing. The longer you wait the more you fret.

You have no way of contacting your

In exchange for convenience

date. You could call home, but there is a long line for the public phone nearby.

Life is indisputably more convenient

Then there is always the chance that

now, but in exchange we no longer play

your date will arrive in the few minutes

lead roles in our dramas.

you are away and you will miss each

Of course, we cannot turn back the

other. What do you do?

clock, and would find it difficult to

Inconvenience generates drama

relinquish the convenience we now enjoy. But, dealing with the consequences of any inconvenience we once faced was undoubtedly good for

When met with such unpleasant

us.

situations, our patience, imagination,

We should cease hating and avoiding

decisiveness, memory, powers of

inconvenience, eliminating waste,

observation and other senses work

running away from risk, ignoring

simultaneously as we wait. Before cell

deficiency and not caring about

phones, all rendezvous were important,

weakness.

and the joy at meeting without a hitch

We should focus on and utilize the

was great. On the other hand, the pain

strengths within these weaknesses,

of being stood up was also great, and

which we perceive as negative. If we

we could only guess at what our

can achieve this, we can without a

potential date was thinking.

doubt reach as yet unseen riches.

Nowadays, however, cell phones and smartphones are perfectly suited to all

Muu, pictured on the left, is a weak, one-eyed robot that mumbles. When placed beside children, even the most timid of them will willingly talk to it.

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2014 vol.22

07

Turning a Weakness into a Strength Discover the value hidden within weakness!

Put Inconvenience and Weakness to Practical Use for a Rich Society

A richer society emerges when weakness is harnessed

People with the heart to look after less fortunate peopl e enrich society. Multitudes of people come and go fro m Nakamura’s office, which has a collection of object s, such as delicate, high-quality cups and a unique con tainer which can hold two types of condiments, such as soy sauce or vinegar.

Exploiting weakness will create a wealthier society. Professor Kenryu Nakamura promotes various projects for realizing a diverse, rich society by embracing minorities.

In the post-WWII era, Japan developed its economy through the pursuit of efficiency. One of Japan’s strengths lies in its expertise in the massproduction of consistently high-quality

Design that motivates society

follow the set path than exert individuality. This attitude formed the basis of an efficient society, giving the Japanese a sense of safety and security. However, as a consequence,

goods. However, it is hard to shake

What is design that invigorates

society has lost its vibrancy and

the feeling that Japan discarded

society?

breakthrough power.

waste, risk, weakness, deficiency and

“It is, of course, wonderful that life is

other negative traits to its

more convenient now, but that doesn’t

disadvantage.

mean that this has also strengthened

Understanding through contact with diversity

Today’s Japan has many weaknesses

“An organization is a homogeneous

Kenryu Nakamura, professor of

expertise. Within this closed group,

Assistive Technology at the University

there is little chance of coming into

of Tokyo’s Research Center for

contact with others of different

Advanced Science and Technology,

lifestyles. Everyone respects each

says that it is only natural for

other and no salient ideas ever

weaknesses to appear when creating

emerge. But when people put

strengths.

themselves in diverse situations where

“A weakness is not necessarily

they can meet unique people, they

something inferior. We can create a

come to see the world from a different

richer society by utilizing this

perspective. Societies and

weakness. Anyone can live a vibrant

organizations that simultaneously

life by compensating for what is

embrace both strengths and

lacking in both their strengths and weaknesses. This creates a society that accepts diversity.”

Nakamura does not sit in his

group of people sharing an educational background or area of

Nakamura says that a design is complete when peo ple and things are compensated for what they lack.

He is also working to support children with disabilitie s by using information and communications technol ogy.

weaknesses are attractive. Their dynamism brings forth innovation, despite suffering on a management level.”

people’s capabilities. What this

An ideal community where everyone

flits around the country to promote his

technology has done is put strong and

lives vigorous lives is one that

projects and research, integrating

weak people on equal terms.”

accepts diversity, intermingling

social activities.

One of the points of Nakamura’s

weakness with strength.

university office, warming his seat. He

08

society.”

“I put into practice ways to spread

research is that when technology is

experiences gained through being in

used properly, it can change people

touch with reality. To make strengths

and, in turn, change society.

out of its weaknesses, today’s Japan

Japanese culture considers it good if

needs designs that will invigorate its

everyone is the same. It is better to

2014 vol.22

Kenryu Nakamura Professor of Assistive Technology at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo

2014 vol.22

09

Answers

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

Q1

Life in the future with humanoid robots

A Small Weak Robot in Your Pocket Since robots were invented, researchers have strived to create strong robots with superhuman powers that can improve work efficiency.

What society needs in the future, however, are robots that can appeal to human emotions.

Roboticist Tomotaka Takahashi created

seem satisfied, engrossed in games or

evolved into a machine that deals with

Kirobo, the humanoid robot with which

other apps. So why do we need to

culture and sensibilities in our everyday

astronaut Koichi Wakata held an

make the leap from smartphones to

lives. Takahashi says that applying this

experimental conversation on the

robots?

same concept to robots would bring

International Space Station’s Kibo module. Takahashi is pursuing the development of small humanoid robots that people can walk around with in

From the virtual to the real

But small humanoid robots, which live with people and can exchange

manga series.

good reasons to spend their time and

information with them through human

We already have smartphones, which

money,” says Takahashi.

communication, are almost a reality.”

go with us wherever we go, and we

Once upon a time, for example, people

KIROBO

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2014 vol.22

Takahashi meticulously combines

services, without needing to buy CDs or

shape, color, movement, voice and

download songs. Everything can be

other elements to give his robots human

done on a smartphone or computer.

attributes. Surprisingly, he creates

We no longer appreciate value, and we

everything with his own hands.

have slowly realized the vanity of the

“People have a psychological

virtual world.

resistance to talking into a square box,

“No matter how beautiful the computer

like a smartphone. If that box were an

graphics are, they don’t move us. We

adorable robot that could empathize

no longer feel the need to pay, even for

with them, they would freely talk to it.

the more useful apps. Focusing so

Through these robots, we could also

much talent and money in the computer

provide people with personalized

industry over the last decade has

services based on the information

resulted in inflation, but people have

collected.”

begun to lose interest in this unreal

Each of us would have a robot.

world. The result is a movement to

Takahashi says the age of cohabitating

reflect the achievements of the

with robots is only a decade away. We

computer world in the real world. This

are on the verge of opening a door into

has led to things like projection

the world of science fiction.

Originally a computing device, the computer has changed forms as it

Q4

Planning, design and business are all senses, too.

Q5

I want one of my creations to make an impact on people’s lives, more than that of the iPhone.

Attachment to robots will spawn new IT services

can listen to music using streaming

mapping, 3D printers and robots.”

Sense.

efficiently performed repetitive work.

come to avoid owning things without

Height: 34 cm Weight: 980 g Degrees of fre edom: 20 Capabilities include voice recognition, natu ral language processing, speech synthesis, telecommunications, communicative move ment, and a camera for face recognition an d video recording. Had an extended stay on the International Space Station in the s ummer of 2013, and participated in commu nication experiments with astronaut Koichi Wakata in Kibo, the Japanese experiment module.

Q3

large, powerful, useful machines that

character in the GeGeGe no Kitaro

put the needle on the record. Now they

The only way to reach perfection is to be thorough.

“In the past, robots were seen only as

“Over the last decade, people have

large record sleeve, even before they

Q2

major changes.

their pockets, like the Daddy Eyeball

would get excited just at the sight of a

In some ways, I’m the nervous type and a perfectionist. In other ways, I’m very sloppy.

ROBI Height: 34 cm Weight: 1 kg Degrees of free dom: 20 Capable of communication using voice recog nition. A hit product with sales exceeding 100,000 kits, sold through the model-kit maga zine DeAGOSTINI Japan.

I want to invent a robot that can be your constant companion Tomotaka Takahashi Roboticist; Research Associate Pro fessor at the Research Center for A dvanced Science and Technology, the University of Tokyo; CEO, Robo Garage Co., Ltd.

【Questions】 ① What are your weaknesses? ② What defenses do you use when confronted with your weaknesses? ③ What are your strengths? ④ Have you ever been thankful for your strengths? ⑤ What work would you like to do in the future?

2014 vol.22

11

When designed in 3 D, the hiragana ch aracter ‘yu’ can only be read as ‘yu’ from one direction. It was devised as a sign so people could recogni ze a bathhouse entr ance when it was hu ng outside.

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

What kind of design focuses on disadvantages and weaknesses?

Designing a Weakness to Captivate People We may feel dissatisfied or inconvenienced, but weaknesses also hold indescribable items and mechanisms. New products can be conceived by focusing on hitherto neglected weaknesses.

Art director Toshio Kambara creates new

weakness? You put a big hole in the front

based on what everyone was saying or

products by focusing on disadvantages and

of the box so everyone knows that it holds

because they were featured in magazines.

weaknesses. These things may make

a mirror inside. By doing this, you change

He went on to study design at Tokyo Zokei

humans may feel dissatisfied or

the awareness of the person handling it.”

University. In his first year as a company

inconvenienced, but weaknesses also hold

A mirror’s weakness is its fragility. If it is

employee, he entered a design contest and

indescribable items and mechanisms.

obvious the box contains a mirror, everyone

drew much attention for his entry, a

These previously neglected weaknesses

will handle it with care. The mirror’s

28-cornered plastic eraser named

are his inspiration.

weakness becomes its strength by

Kadokeshi.

Kambara might ask, “How do you pack a

appealing to people’s perceptions.

“I was using an eraser to rub out pencil

mirror so as not to smash it?”

Most people would probably answer with something along the lines of putting it in a sturdy box.

However, Kambara unexpectedly replies,

Following the path of design through a different awareness

Answers

Many unseen hints are concealed all around us

Q1

Experience sometimes interferes with new ideas.

Q2

Change the process and do something meaningless.

Q3

Struggling.

Q4

Times when I can see a different approach after struggling without compromise.

Q5

Design using my sense of touch or taste, instead of sight.

lines, and I realized that the most functional part of the eraser is the corner, which comes into contact with the paper, followed by the grip.”

Everyone probably realizes that an eraser’s corners do most of the work, but we never

“Someone will carry it after it’s been packed.”

Kambara was in high school when he

really think about it.

“A strong, solid package is fine, but how

became aware of the finer details in design.

“Corners are valuable, because there are

about concentrating on the mirror’s

He felt uncomfortable choosing products

so few of them.”

Like making a strawberry-covered shortcake He laughed as he explained that he imagined a strawberry-covered shortcake when conceiving the eraser’s 28 corners.

Hideo Kambara Product director and art director. Bo rn in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1978 a nd graduated from Tokyo Zokei Uni versity. Established BARAKAN DE SIGN after working for TOTO and Dentsu. Active in product design, gr aphic design, interior design, and a wide variety of other design fields.

Research Associate Professor at th e Research Center for Advanced S cience and Technology, the Univer sity of Tokyo.

The eraser’s volume is reduced, but the increase in corners means there are always brand new corners to use. This is an enjoyable eraser to use.

“The impact of discovering something unseen was a big deal for me,” says Kambara, about hitting upon this train of thought.

He continues to enjoy pursuing the creation of strong new products by focusing on an The weakness of existing erasers was their lack of corners. The Kadokeshi plastic eras er gave form to what no one had noticed before: the all too obvious fact that an eraser’ s corners are the most important part. The eraser was chosen for the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, New York) permanent collection.

12

2014 vol.22

item’s weaknesses and slightly reworking them.

【Questions】 ① What are your weaknesses? ② What defenses do you use when confronted with your weaknesses? ③ What are your strengths? ④ Have you ever been thankful for your strengths? ⑤ What work would you like to do in the future?

2014 vol.22

13

Answers Turning a Weakness into a Strength

Infinite ideas lurk within his studio, which looks like an upset toy box

Love what is worthless

Art is about Changing Weaknesses into Strengths

Q1

I have no concept of the amount of work I can handle at any one time.

Q2

Talk to people. Ask for help.

Q3

Procrastinate until the last minute. I drive myself into tight corners.

Q4

When I realized I could actually do it.

The branding of a company that makes the most of open attitudes. Work where I can Q5 discover and utilize something appealing that no one else has noticed.

An exceptional point of view is needed to create artworks that can take people by surprise. Socially shunned weaknesses are sublimated into art.

Everyone has strengths and

up the Earth. Doesn’t the very idea

weaknesses. Artist Yasuhiro Suzuki has

excite you? But this feeling I had was

found it hard to speak in front of others

difficult to put into words, so I decided

since his youth. This is his weakness.

to express it using art.”

“I was so much better at making things

Others also felt and reacted to this

than I was at talking. It was a waste

excitement by endorsing the project,

spending time on my weakness, so I

and the fastener boat became a reality.

decided to communicate by making

After its launch, it succeeded in

things. This is my strength.”

unzipping the world.

Waves part left and right, unzipping the Earth

result is art,” says Suzuki. But what

Suzuki says he compensated for his weakness by honing his talent with pen

14

Yasuhiro Suzuki Artist; visiting researcher at the Res earch Center for Advanced Scienc e and Technology, the University of Tokyo; full-time lecturer at the Mus ashino Art University.

“My sensitivity thrives on my tools. The inspires his unique ideas?

An artist’s concept of time

This concept is expressed in a work, titled “Present,” which is shaped like a rubber stamp. When pressed, it imprints the kanji characters for ‘past.’ Even

and paper, and later with digital tools.

“I’m not rushed for time. A tool will

though people refer to it as the “Future

Depending on the person using them,

gleam and catch my eye while I play

Stamp,” the characters for ‘future’

tools can have surprising uses. It all

around or waste time. I then sketch a

interestingly do not appear anywhere on

depends on how they are used. For

likeness that inspires a novel idea. My

the piece. Suzuki seems to aspire to be

Suzuki, objects are his ‘tools.’ They

notebooks are not records of past ideas.

an artist who can manipulate time as

stimulate his senses and allow for new

I tend to find the inspiration I’m looking

well.

possibilities.

for within their pages. We can’t be

Suzuki talks about releasing his work,

teleported by time machines. The only

titled “Fastener Boat”.

thing here that is real is the ‘now.’”

“As boats move forward, they leave

He sums all this up with one word:

waves that open to the left and right in

parts. He pulls parts from the past and

their wake. To me, that looked like a

melds them with parts in the present to

zipper,” he laughs, “gradually opening

create his art.

2014 vol.22

Inspired by a boat sailing across the sea, one of Suzuki’s signature works is an 11-meter, zippershaped boat that glides across the Seto Inland Sea, slowly unfastening the Earth. People witnessi ng this scene undoubtedly consider what lies beneath the Earth’s crust.

“Apple Kendama” (right) A traditional ball-andcup toy inspired by Newton’s Law of Gravity.

【Questions】 ① What are your weaknesses? ② What defenses do you use when confronted with your weaknesses? ③ What are your strengths? ④ Have you ever been thankful for your strengths? ⑤ What work would you like to do in the future?

2014 vol.22

15

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

Searching for intrinsic personalities

Answers

Weak Robots Elicit Human Strengths They make you feel lonely when they are not around, and they are useless unless they help.

Strange weak robots teach us our hidden strengths.

What can seemingly useless robots actually do?

do anything themselves. They can, however, do something if they have people’s help and encouragement. The robots invented by Michio Okada,

16

I end up with piles of work to do, maybe because I work slowly.

Q2

When I don’t have a clue, I just take the first step to get started.

Q3

Even if I’ve been placed in a difficult situation, I don’t let it faze me and enjoy it.

Q4

When I’m blessed with a fortuitous encounter.

Q5

I want to write a communication-related book at my leisure.

Robots’ weaknesses human weaknesses

things when they receive support from those around them and have relationships with their surroundings. This basic ecological psychology.

Actively involving people

Michio Okada Professor of Information and Intelligence Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Graduat e School, Toyohashi University of Technology.

Recent publications include “Yowai Robotto (Weak Ro bots)” Igaku-Shoin (2012) and “Robotto-no Kanashimi: Hito-to Robotto-no Seinogaku-ni Mukete (A Robot’s So rrow: Towards the Ecology of Humans and Robots),” co-edited with Kotaro Matsumoto, Shin-yo-sha Publishi ng (slated for release in October 2014).

professor at the Toyohashi University of

Muu is a robot shaped like a teardrop

Technology, are weak machines that

with a single large eye. Okada says it

seem quite useless – not exactly what

represents an image of the body when

we picture when we imagine robots.

looked at from the inside, without

Talking-Ally, for example, is a robot that

stressing shape.

talks when it has a listener, but if the

“The robot sees from the inside and the

listener’s attention is drawn elsewhere, it

body has movement, and these functions

nothing to do with anyone will eagerly

stops talking. The Sociable Trash Box is

have the ability to change the people

strike up a conversation with Muu. The

a robot that does not itself pick up trash,

around it. So I was conscious of making

robot’s weakness draws out the child’s

but pesters whoever is nearby to pick it

sure its design attracted people so they

ability to relate to others. It has the same

up.

would treat it affectionately.”

weaknesses as humans.”

“Cell phones have a multitude of

A robot is also a device with which

This robot, which will not demonstrate its

functions, but the number of functions we

people can talk. So as Okada built Muu

strengths unless we actively interact with

actually use are limited. Often when cell

he tested it to see which communication

it, is a mirror that reveals our own

phones have too many functions, they

mechanisms, including speech, would be

strengths and weaknesses.

stray from their original purpose. As a

best suited to his aims.

result, we tire of them, or stop using them

“A robot is something recognized as

all together. What I aim to create are

having existential value when it elicits

incomplete robots that by design cannot

something from people. When Muu is

produce correct answers. These robots

placed beside a child with

interact with humans and have the ability

communication difficulties, the child

to generate new meaning and value.”

visibly changes. A child who wants

2014 vol.22

are

For Okada, “incomplete robots” only do

concept was originally discovered in Even though they are robots, they cannot

Q1

(Left) Muu is a robot that elicits our latent communicati on capabilities. (Right) When the Sociable Trash Boxes appear, children start putting rubbish in the bins. When they do, the robot bows in gratitude. People assume rob ots will pick up and dispose of their trash, but this robot inspires people to clean up for themselves.

【Questions】 ① What are your weaknesses? ② What defenses do you use when confronted with your weaknesses? ③ What are your strengths? ④ Have you ever been thankful for your strengths? ⑤ What work would you like to do in the future?

2014 vol.22

17

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

g

Dialo Isn’t it time you got a mobile phone?

People totally immersed in convenience grow weak

Considering the Benefit of Inconvenience

But I’ve never felt inconvenienced by not having one…

People have long loathed inconvenience. But isn’t it possible that a certain kind of joy can be obtained from inconvenience itself, from the fact that something requires a little extra effort? What do humans have to offer as a result of their pursuit of efficiency? This conversation between Hiroshi Kawakami and Toshihiro Hiraoka, researchers in the “benefit of inconvenience,” or Fuben-Eki, attempts to reaffirm the appeal behind the benefits surrounding inconvenience.

Photos/Shingo Shiokawa Interviews and Text/Shiori Ito (JQR)

was send out information. At the same

prefer to use something inconvenient,

in common with learning situations. For

specialty is artificial intelligence, isn’t

time, I also wondered if, with a little

and then try to find some benefit in it.

example, the vocabulary you worked

it? How did that lead you to explore the

creativity, we could get the system to

H: Well I guess that’s where we differ

hardest to memorize stays with you the

subject of inconvenience?

send out the right information that

—I actually enjoy convenience.

longest.

Kawakami: It all began when I first

would allow drivers to drive better by

(Laughs)

H: You stop thinking of things as

started as a (then) assistant professor

thinking for themselves and putting in a

K: Our goal is to build a system design

convenient; I suppose that’s the whole

at Kyoto University, and Professor

little effort.

theory that addresses the question of

point of something being convenient,

Katai, who ran the lab at the time, told

K: That’s exactly what we mean by

where and how we can make existing

but it really weakens a person’s ability

me that the benefit of inconvenience, or

Fuben-Eki.

systems less convenient, while gaining

to think.

what we call Fuben-Eki, was a subject

H: I think there must be some way to

benefit from them. Recently, we’ve been

K: If something’s inconvenient, it forces

whose time was coming.

use driver assistance systems to

trying to codify Fuben-Eki using

you to actively think about what you’re

H: So you gave up artificial

encourage drivers to feel that driving

symbolic logic. The effort is still

doing. The process of trial and error

intelligence?

safely or more ecologically can be fun.

underway, but things have gotten

turns out to be a good stimuli for the

K: No, no. I haven’t exactly given it up,

To do that, we need some kind of hook

interesting.

brain.

but the benefit of inconvenience just

to get them to try the system, and then

seems so much more interesting than

a way to keep them using it without

trying to replicate human intelligence

turning drivers off.

with machines, don’t you think?

K: So the important thing is to get the

H: When I was a student, I also did

driver to feel some attachment to the

research in artificial intelligence under

system, even if it’s a little more trouble

H: It seems people from a wide variety

and eight Benefit cards. The Fuben-Eki

Professor Katai, so I kind of had a

to use.

of fields have gotten interested in

Principle cards indicate what should be

Fuben-Eki lately.

done to make a system inconvenient.

K: Not just engineering, but

The Benefit cards, meanwhile, show

architecture, psychology and even

what kind of benefit might be gained in

Buddhists.

doing so.

H: And all of those fields rely on having

H: The pictograms on the cards are

Hiraoka: Professor Kawakami, your

sense of the benefit of inconvenience even before there was a term for it.

Later, though, I moved on to studying controls.

K: When you first came back to the

Assistant Professor, Department of System Science, Graduate School of Informatics, Kyoto University

Toshihiro Hiraoka

18

2014 vol.22

This is not just nostalgia for the “good old days.”

A talented group comes together to study Fuben-Eki

K: That said, it’s not easy coming up with a new Fuben-Eki system. That’s why one of our students devised these Fuben-Eki cards. They consist of two types: 12 Fuben-Eki Principle cards

university after having worked at a

H: Fuben-Eki research starts by asking

a user—the involvement of people.

really evocative. I always found it

company, weren’t you studying controls

“Are we seeing more things in the world

K: That said, I’d hate for people to

frustrating to try to describe Fuben-Eki

for automated driving systems for cars?

that are convenient, but which may also

think Fuben-Eki is the same as

to someone who knows nothing about

H: That’s right.

be harmful?” What I’d like to emphasize

ergonomics. Many of the “EKI” (benefits)

it. These cards are great because you

K: How did you end up shifting to your

is that this not simply nostalgia, a call

in Fuben-Eki aren’t something that can

can get a general understanding of

current field of research?

to return to a more inconvenient past.

be expressed in numbers.

Fuben-Eki with just a glance.

H: I gradually moved from studying

Our aim is strictly to regain certain

H: That’s because the “EKI” in Fuben-

K: The way these are used is first you

automated driving to researching driver

benefits by adding new inconvenience.

Eki represents things we gain in taking

use a Fuben-Eki Principle card to try to

assistance systems. I guess for a car

We don’t reject out of hand things that

the trouble to use an object—a sense

make an existing system inconvenient.

enthusiast like me, a car that drives

are both convenient and positive.

of happiness, or fun—and for the most

Next, you use the cards to consider

itself just isn’t a real car! (Laughs) As I

K: No, no. That kind of thinking is what

part, they’re subjective.

what kind of benefit could be gained

pursued that research, I thought it

we call the “Fuben-Eki right wing.”

K: In other words, you only get out of it

from using that now-inconvenient

would be a waste if all the system did

Those of us on the left would actually

what you put in, an idea that has much

system. Try using them in that order

Professor, Unit of Design, Kyoto University

Hiroshi Kawakami 2014 vol.22

19

g

Dialo

Considering the Benefit of Inconvenience

Can omitting convenience also omit waste?

Getting an idea of the basics of FubenEki.

The Institute of Fuben-Eki System is engaged in thinking about how to make use of systems that may be inconvenient but offer some benefit.

The ideas that have grown out of this work include a Fuben-Eki navigation system, cat-based media, a curved-line microwave oven and a system for “more or less” predicting traffic.

Take a look at their website for more information (in Japanese only).

http://fuben-eki.jp/ Yellow cards are the 12 kinds of inconvenience that can easily provide benefits.

Green cards are the eight kinds of benefits obtainable from those inconveniences.

These Fuben-Eki cards use pictograms to express over 100 examples that were generalized and carefully studied.

Fuben-Eki Navigation System

“Fading Navigation” and you’ll see what I mean.

learning the roads for themselves. They

K: In other words, the roads we travel

simply don’t need to. And that ability to

most frequently, or most slowly, are the

memorize roads has gradually

ones we keep in our heads. With this

weakened.

navigation system, the way the roads

K: And one approach that introduces

fade from view is an expression of the

the idea of inconvenience to these

user’s driving history, and in that sense

convenient navigation systems is…

it creates a kind personalized map.

K: Have you noticed how more and

H: This “Fading Navigation” system. At

H: The user is led to think “Hey! Maybe

more people can’t go anywhere without

first, it looks just like a regular map, but

I’ll try a route that isn’t faded yet!”

a car navigation system?

the roads you go over begin fading from

which in turn could lead the user to

H: Even if you’re going somewhere for

view. The more you travel a road, the

new discoveries.

the first time, they make sure you get to

fainter its image becomes, until finally

K: We’re hoping that people might use

your destination—essential for people

there’s nothing left but white space. Not

it for walking around a tourist

with no sense of direction. But once

only that, the more slowly you travel,

destination, for example, or for changing

people started using these navigation

the greater the rate at which the road

the look of their everyday routes. That

systems, they definitely stopped

fades away.

said, we certainly have no intention of

Roads disappear with each use.

How the “fading navigation” works.

20

2014 vol.22

How to use (1) The system will display a map, which you should follow just as you normally would.

(2) Each time you travel the same streets, those streets will begin to fade from the display.

(3) The slower you travel, the more they’ll fade.

(4) The streets that have faded away should now be etched in your mind.

On your next trip, please use the navigation system in your own head.

While it starts out as a regular map, the streets you travel will gradually fade. The more you travel the same streets, the more they’ll fade, until eventually only white space remains. What’s more, the slower you travel, the more the streets will fade.

2014 vol.22

21

g

Dialo

Considering the Benefit of Inconvenience Inconvenient, yes, but you’ll want one: The “Prime Number Ruler”

“I’d like to remind people that safe driving may be more trouble, but it’s fun, too!”

Our goal is a system design theory that utilizes inconvenience.

A prime number is a natural number, aside from 1, that has no positive divisor except one and itself. This 18-cm bamboo ruler is marked only with the numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13 and 17. All of these are prime numb ers, and indicate length in centimeters.

It’s been a big hit at Kyoto University’s Co-op store.

A pitch for the “Prime Number Ruler” Kawakami:This “Prime Number Ruler” is the first Fuben-Eki product issued by the Institute of Fuben-Eki System.

Hiraoka: People have been talking about how hard it is to use.

Kawakami: But at the same time, it’s been a surprisingly big hit.

Hiraoka: If we’d known they would sell this well, we could have sold them for 10 yen each and made sure the money came to our lab. (Laughs) Kawakami:

The manufacturer didn’t think they’d sell, which is why they decided to burn

the marks on them by hand. With Kyoto University, the bamboo craftsman and the handburning involved, this product turned out to be a lot of trouble.

Hiraoka: Once people started tweeting things like “Now this is what I call interesting” and “Absolutely useless but I want one!”, the word spread in no time.

Kawakami: One elementary school teacher got in touch to say “I’m using it in my math classes!” It’s so great to hear it’s actually being used in the classroom.

forcing people to use this “fading

they’re considered “too dangerous,” and

adorable, but maybe they think even

navigation” system when they need to

even the educational materials used in

more highly of themselves. (Laughs)

be on time and travel directly to their

schools have in many cases been

K: “Fuben-Eki for child-rearing!”

destination. (Laughs)

trimmed back. Toys are so perfect they’

H: I think in general, parents are trying

ve become unobtainable. When summer

to give their children the skills to do

vacation comes around, bookstores are

everything in the most efficient way

piled with books and kits for summer

possible. Nobody uses words like “work

independent research projects, but

your butt off” anymore.

H: Kids today grow up surrounded by

projects that rely on these aren’t really

K: Unless we learn the joy of working

useful tools, and know surprisingly little

“independent” research at all, are they?

hard and accomplishing something, the

about inconvenience. In fact, the

(Laughs)

Japanese will turn into a people who

current state of things is so normal for

K: I’ve always thought that Fuben-Eki

have no dreams.

them that they fail to how convenient

would be a good match for education,

H: Even the greatest effort is not

life is.

so that’s definitely something I’d like to

necessarily rewarded. That’s why it’s

K: Once convenience becomes the

pursue more -- “Fuben-Eki educational

not just a matter of making an effort…

norm, no one needs to bother with

materials,” or “Fuben-Eki toys.”

K: Hopefully, kids can learn that lesson

being creative. As a result, when people

H: And I think the problem is not just

through the kind of basic experiences

take on an effort, they fall into this

with the kids—if anything, parents are

we had in the old days, like the first

sense that it’s not worth going to so

the ones with the problem. Leaving their

time we were able to ride a bike, or

much trouble for. In fact, the real joy

kids to their “independent” research

stand on our heads.

lies in making that extra effort.

books is actually easier on the parents.

H: They can’t feel the joy that comes

Do these parents even really know the

with effort. Clearly, children need to

joy of raising children in the first place,

experience Fuben-Eki at an early age.

the joy that only comes from taking the

In reality, though, more and more

trouble, experiencing the hardships?

playthings are disappearing because

They may think their children are

Introducing Fuben-Eki to the schools

22

2014 July& Aug

Born 1970. Completed a master’s degree in precision en gineering at Kyoto University Graduate School of Engine ering, then worked for Matsushita Electric Industries (no w Panasonic) before assuming his current position. Spec ializes in human-machine systems, with research focusin g particularly on driver assistance systems. Holds a Ph. D. in Information Science.

Born 1964. After completing a master’s degree in precisi on engineering at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Engineering, went on to work as an associate professor at Okayama University, then an assistant professor at Ky oto University before assuming his current position. Res earch focuses on system design theory. Holds a Ph.D. in Engineering.

23

“

弱 い”

を “

強 い”

にする発想。 Unique abilities are continually developed instead of getting crushed

Future

Discovery and training of exceptional abilities

〈New educational environment〉 • Learning using online materials • Support from online tutors • Use of ICT devices The need for a new kind of education

• School for learning through actual occupations • Special classes by RCAST professors • Coordination with schools and support for parents

Today

〈Elementary and junior high schools〉 • Too easy

Existing education system

• Not interested • Poor at communicating • Slow at writing • Good at drawing but unable to read The Exceptional Talent Program will include special classes held by professors from RCAST and leading figures in various fields. Photo (from left): Associate Professor Katsumi Watanabe (cognitive science), Vi siting Researcher Yasuhiro Suzuki (assistant), Project Research Associate Hideo Kambara (product designer), Professor Kenryu Nakamura (Assistive Technology), Project Researcher Miharu Sato (opera singer), Project Researcher Dai Tamesue (former athlete), Project Associate Professor Tomotaka Takahashi (roboticist)

they may possess.

"Right now there are 110,000

The Exceptional Talent Program

elementary and junior high school

Developing the strengths of supposedly "weak" children

Rather than trying to make these children adapt, this is an attempt to foster their special talents Room of children with kokorozashi and extraordinary.

Some children find that there is no place for them at school because their abilities are too specialized, which makes their lessons boring. Does this make these children failures? The Exceptional Talent Program aims to discover the talents of children who find it hard to deal with conventional rules, and prepare these students for adult life. The project is being launched and led by Professor Kenryu Nakamura.

children who are refusing to go to school. The problem is that they are excluded because they don't fit into schools' predetermined frameworks.

Most of these children either become shut-ins or act out at home with uncontrollable behavior in response to parental pressure. When this happens, people often blame wild children or poor parenting, but is that the real story?"

Professor Nakamura poses the question of whether such problems are actually the result of these children getting excluded by society. A new place that allowed these children to learn would surely make it possible to

Children's "weak" abilities have been designed that way

Professor Kenryu Nakamura Assistive Technology Section Research Center for Advanced Sci ence and Technology (RCAST), U niversity of Tokyo

24

2014 vol.22

support for elementary and junior high school students who possess remarkable abilities yet find it hard to cope with school, in an attempt to allow

Children who find themselves

these abilities to blossom. The aim is to

marginalized by the uniformity of social

develop an educational system that is

conventions are often labeled as

completely different from the one being

"weak." The Exceptional Talent

used today.

Program aims to identify the talents

There have always been many

inherent in these children, and to foster

children who have difficulty reading and

these as strengths. Its leader is

writing, but in the past they could find a

Professor Kenryu Nakamura of the

place in life, even if was just tilling the

Research Center for Advanced Science

fields. The world has changed, however,

and Technology (RCAST) of the

and young people who are unable to

University of Tokyo. Starting this fall,

write or communicate with others and

the project will use information

don't fit in socially find themselves with

technology to provide continuous

nowhere to go, whatever other abilities

discover their exceptional talents, which are impossible to identify in contemporary educational settings.

In today's society, weak-willed people get crushed "Today's society is designed to avoid risk. For example, in years gone by children had to watch their step when it rained in case they trod in a puddle or tripped over, but today the roads are paved, so they won't trip even if they're using a smartphone as they walk.

That's good for safety, but don't you think that if society is too convenient, it

Misbehavior Truancy Bullying No idea how to accommodate unique children

will cause children's skills to decline?"

cooking. A permanent classroom will be

According to Professor Nakamura,

set up within RCAST, and the staff

this avoidance of risk may be good for

responsible for instruction will also go

the elderly or people with disabilities,

out to directly engage with the

but it weakens the abilities that children

children's intellectual interests and

should naturally possess. At the same

abilities in order to further develop their

time, is it also having an insidiously

exceptional abilities. Professors from

negative effect on adults, lessening our

RCAST and leading figures in various

understanding of diversity and

fields will hold special classes to

decreasing our endurance? Although

stimulate the children's sense of

there may still be some individuals like

curiosity.

Steve Jobs or Albert Einstein with the will to surmount adversity, in today's world, weak-willed people tend to get crushed. Professor Nakamura suggests

Building a society that fosters children's exceptional abilities

that rather than demanding that such individuals struggle on, it is society that

Changing the way that society

must change, little by little.

functions is an extremely difficult task.

With the Exceptional Talent Program,

"The more you think about things, the

he is looking for elementary and junior

more you hold back, so if an idea for

high school students who possess

something comes up in my research I

remarkable abilities but find it hard to fit

do it immediately. I think about how to

into the contemporary educational

solve things while I'm in the process of

environment and therefore tend to skip

doing them."

school. He plans to select around ten

Professor Nakamura, who spends his

such children from around the country

time traveling around the country rather

every year.

than sitting at his desk, has high

These children will put together

expectations for children's buried

individual programs in which they will

abilities.

study at home, studying subjects they

"University education in Japan teaches

are interested in at their own pace.

people to be cooperative above all else.

Based on these programs, they will

We don't want that. We want to develop

receive instruction mainly through video

the exceptional abilities that children

conferencing, engaging in academic

possess, precisely because they are

and practical learning in actual

exceptional. Rather than trying to

occupations, such as newly developed

improve children’s skills in areas where

agricultural practices, carpentry and

they lack talent, we want to foster their

● Contact: Assistive Technology Section, Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), University of Tokyo TEL:03- 5452-5064 E-mail:rocket@bfp.rcast.u-tokyo.ac.jp 2014 vol.22

25

Turning a Weakness into a Strength Children once isolate d at school find new friends as they relax and enjoy the progra m.

Following the written word is difficult, but u sing text-to-speech e nsures the child unde rstands.

Support for those with learning disabilities.

Searching for an Oar to Paddle Across a Sea of Learning On the front lines of ICT-enabled learning

Diversity, Opportunities, Internetworking and Technology Disability or illness can make learning difficult for some children.

A project has begun to develop future leaders by supporting the efforts of these children to achieve the education and career paths they desire.

Incorporating information and communication technology (ICT) in that support is said to deliver significant results.

26

Rumi Hirabayashi Assistant professor, the University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology Research Fellow for Young Scientists of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Speech Pathologist and Clinical Developmental Psychologist

Sayaka Shinya Senior project specialist, the University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology

Case Studies in the Use of ICT

can enter commonly used characters,

activities becoming acquainted with

anything else; taking pictures with a

hiragana and katakana by tracing each

other children suffering through the

digital camera can give them the time

line with a finger. Those with over-

same hardships, makes it easier on

they need and increase their desire to

number of different approaches to figure

If a child can’t write by hand, then

sensitive hearing can use noise-

these children emotionally and has a

learn. B. processed audio and visual

learning disabilities and gone on to

out which will lead to a better result.

give them a keyboard. Ms.Shinya points

cancelling headphones to create an

positive effect on the learning side as

input differently, and was teased for

pursue their individual dreams. In Japan,

For children who can’t read, we start by

out that with a little ingenuity, even

environment more conducive to

well.”

having handwriting that was almost

however, simple difficulty with reading

reading to them. Next, we’ll record the

apps developed for the general public

concentrating on their classwork. By

The biggest change may be that these

illegible, but given an iPad to use,

and writing leaves many on society’s

audio using an IC recorder, and teach

can become effective tools.

taking advantage of the unique features

children can now get excited about

discovered there were many things he

fringes. In the laboratory of Professor

the children to use the recorder so they

“Apps that convert spoken words into

of various apps, many of the obstacles

learning. A., for example, could read but

was capable of doing. Tears came to

Kenryu Nakamura, part of the Research

can listen to the audio whenever they

text make it possible to create

standing in the way of learning can be

had trouble drawing lines, and found

his eyes as he recalled how hard it was

Center for Advanced Science and

want.”

sentences even if a child can’t use a

overcome.

even writing his own name difficult.

because, until then, he believed he was

Technology at the University of Tokyo,

Once provided with a keyboard,

simply stupid.

researchers are promoting a project to

learning by listening, a child who may

enable voice memos to be attached to

however, he was freed from his

create a learning environment in which

have trouble learning with the printed

digital photos.”

difficulties with writing and was able to

focused on uncovering and expanding

even those children with a range of

word can then enter the classroom. Ms.

Audio versions of textbooks can easily

keep up with his class. Disabilities vary

the potential of these children who

learning disabilities can achieve their

Hirabayashi says that what’s important

be created by taking pictures of the

Ms. Hirabayashi notes, “Children

by individual, and require a continuing

struggle with adults fixated on “common

dreams. Working on the front lines of

at that point is who is in control of the

pages and having a parent or a teacher

struggling with learning disabilities

process of respecting the individual

sense” approaches, and who suffer from

this effort are assistant professor Rumi

device. It’s essential that the child be

read and record the content. An app

often wonder why they are the only

character of each child to determine

a lack of understanding from even their

Hirabayashi and senior project

able to use and manage the equipment

that provides a dictionary of stroke

ones having trouble, and the sense

which tools are appropriate in each

closest friends. While the children’s

specialist Sayaka Shinya.

as he or she might a notebook or

order for everyday use kanji (characters)

that no one understands their suffering

case.

best efforts couldn’t erase those

Despite the blanket term “learning

pencil, rather than leaving everything up

makes it easy to look up character

leaves them feeling isolated.

Some children may take so long to

feelings of isolation, support from ICT

disability,” the nature of such disabilities

to the teacher.

stroke order and readings, and a child

Encountering ICT, and through these

write that they’re left with no time for

tools aroused their curiosity and

Overseas, people like actor Tom Cruise

varies completely from one individual to

and businessman Richard Branson are

the next. Every effort starts with feeling

known for having overcome the

one’s way. “We begin by trying out a

challenges of dyslexia and other

2014 vol.22

By growing accustomed to

keyboard. There are also apps that

Children can shine with support from ICT

The two researchers are

● For inquiries, contact: DO-IT Japan Office 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8904 University of Tokyo Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, Building 3 #309 Mail address and website: info@doit-japan.org, http://www.doit-japan. org/

2014 vol.22

27

Turning a Weakness into a Strength

make one glass of soy milk?

“Let’s try counting to see how much 1,000 soy beans come to.”

“A thousand soy beans?!”

The children let out a cry at the sight of These children have never touched the soil, and some may run at the sight of the smallest insect, but their view of living things changes as the plants grow.

Raising vegetables, they learn about the importance of life and eating.

so many soy beans. Someone suggested they start by carefully counting how many soy beans would fit in a small box, then figure out how many boxes would come to 1,000 soy beans.

“I never understood why we need multiplication, but now I get it,” said

To Eat is to Live

one child.

Protecting Life with “Bosai” Food

started to get interesting, and the children began earnestly counting soy beans.

Making pizza, they learned the

Protecting Life with “Bosai” Food Emotional and Physical Strength Grown from Seeds Life Seed Labo

principles of fermentation, and how

Children harvesting vegetables from the garden and preparing them in the kitchen.

The variety of situations encountered in this process is the perfect stimulus for intellectual curiosity.

The knowledge gained from these experiences nurtures the strength to survive and the ability to stay calm even in emergencies when food is unavailable.

and freeze drying technologies, and

Rie Fukumoto Senior project specialist, the University of Tokyo Center for Advanced Science and Technology

28

All of a sudden, boring mathematics

2014 vol.22

The experience of nurturing Can be a powerful nurturer of learning.

Everything they encounter, in the field

The process of raising vegetables from

when he spotted an insect that was

seed and harvesting and cooking the

busily eating one of the leaves. The

results can seem perfectly ordinary, but

child couldn’t take his eyes away. He

a surprising number of children have

didn’t get much work done, but using

never had this experience. Life Seed

his tablet, he could observe to his heart’

Labo focuses on giving these children

s content just how the insect eats and

the chance to take a closer look at

try to understand the underlying

eating, the basis of life. For children

ecology.”

who might have trouble sitting at a desk

By coming face-to-face with the natural

in front of a textbook, the experience of

world, which can’t be explained simply

touching the soil and gripping a knife

through words and pictures, children

expands their curiosity and nurtures

can take their fill of knowledge in

their ability to learn.

whatever direction their interests and

This requires no textbooks. If children

curiosity leads them. That learning is

have questions about the vegetables

not restricted to science.

they’re raising, or want to keep a record

Making soy milk requires soy beans.

of their observations, tablets are used.

So, how many soy beans does it take to

or in the kitchen, is a target for new learning.

“During one harvest, a child was attempting to pull up some lettuce

preserving foods makes it impossible

What’s even more gratifying is when the vegetables are harvested. At the last party for Life Seed Labo, the chil dren think about how to sea son and arrange the food to best express how good the vegetables they’ve raised taste, and everyone works together to prepare and enjoy them.

for bacteria to survive. They also learned how methods for preserving foods for the winter, when food was scarce, evolved into modern canning how test versions of preserved foods of the future are eaten by astronauts in outer space. The number of stories surrounding food is vast.

The desire to eat Even when there’s no food.

Another part of this effort is thinking about eating as part of sustaining life.

Are we capable of working our way out

future.”

crushing for anyone. In the midst of

of an earthquake, flood or other plight

Rie Fukumoto works with children in

such chaos, no one has the chance for

even when it’s left us with nothing to

thinking about “Bosai” food or food that

a proper meal. But people can’t survive

eat?

both sustains life and provides physical

on sorrow alone—they need to eat to

“Our lives provide us with every

and emotional sustenance.

live. Suppose you were to plant a seed?

convenience, but leave us few

“Bosai” (from the word for “disaster

Wouldn’t you wonder if it had sprouted

opportunities to think consciously about

prevention”) foods are a combination of

the next day? And if it had, a feeling of

what to do in an emergency. In the

emergency provisions such as instant

joy might surface along with it. Who

1995 Hanshin-Awaji earthquake, and in

noodles and alpha rice (a kind of

wouldn’t be happy to see a tiny seed

the Great East Japan earthquake of

preserved rice); preserved foods such

grow larger, flower and bear fruit?”

2011, food became the most important

as dry goods and seasonings, as well

The children hang on Ms. Fukumoto’s

issue for victims of these disasters.

as foods prepared ahead of time by

every word.

What became clear from these

drying or pickling; and vegetables, to be

“Preparing for ‘just in case’ means

experiences was that, in the long-term

grown from seed.

reexamining our own everyday lives. It

process of recovery, people need food

“In a disaster where homes are

can be an opportunity to transform our

both to sustain life and to provide

destroyed and the lives of family

lives into something richer.”

physical and emotional strength for the

members lost, the sorrow can be 2014 vol.22

29

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and apparently only last for around

form of Acalanātha. Zao-Gongen,

thirty figures. The individually molded

Vaiśravana, Asura, Thousand-armed

parts are then carefully finished by

Avalokiteshwara...

Chinese craftspeople trained over many

At times reflecting the heart of the

years by Isumu.

viewer, other times helping them forget

For instance, the figure of Asura in

worldly cares: Buddhist images are

Isumu's high-end S-Class range

unique works of art that have enthralled

perfectly reproduces the statue's

millions and provided spiritual

graceful, languorous visage and the

sustenance to the Japanese for over a

cracking peculiar to dry-lacquered

thousand years.

images. The 50 cm body is

It follows that nothing could be better

meticulously painted down to the finest

than owning a personal cultural treasure

detail in twenty colors, requiring twenty-

in the form of a Buddhist image, and

five hours to produce a piece of artistic

there is growing demand for Buddhist

refinement.

figures. Of these, the Isumu collection

The hardest part of the process across

features uniquely faithful reproductions

all three ranges is adding the “eyes”. A

of the actual original images. The

single touch of the brush determines

company produces three different

whether or not a figure has a “soul”. A

ranges, starting with the TanaCocoro

high level of skill is required here, and

(tanagokoro, meaning palm of the hand)

Isumu brand manager Matsukawa

collector's line, with each figure

Masaki reveals that among the

measuring about 20 cm in height;

company's many employees there is

followed by the Standard and S-Class

only one who can do it properly every

ranges.

time.

All figures are made by hand. First of

We do indeed live in an era of global

all, source material (mainly photos) of

collaboration that generates some

the original Buddhist image is gathered

amazing products.

● Contact ／ Isumu 0120- 925-495 www.isumu.jp

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2014 vol.22

Asura from the S-Class premium series, a reproduction that maximizes the allure of the Asura image. With bas e as shown in the photo, 505 （H） ×320 （W） ×175 （D） mm、5.2kg. ¥210,000 + tax Illuminating a figure from various angles and with varying amounts of light allows it to be en joyed with different expressions and auras. The YURAGI glass case (size L ¥300,000 + tax, M ¥180,000 + tax) is designed to let you do just that. LEDs set into the top and bottom of t he case offer six different options for lighting up the figure to emulate the passing of time.

2014 vol.22

31

QR 2

When viewed by itself the thi nness of the 34G (center) is not that conspi cuous, but it st ands out in co mparison with t he 32G and 33G.

Quality Review

Needle to release from the stress of pain

Needle offers relief from pain and stress

Nanopass 34G Pen Needle for insulin shots, with a gauge pared down to the absolute minimum level of thinness Photos: Satoru Naito Text: JQR Editorial

It took Terumo five grueling years to commercialize a needle that spares patients from the pain associated with injections.

An injection can be just as unpleasant for adults as it is for children. We put up with it out of necessity, but what if you needed injections on a daily basis?

Diabetes patients deal with pain on a daily basis. They need to give themselves insulin shots one to four times a day, depending on their condition, to control their blood sugar level. And they have to do it 365 days a year. On top of the pain of the injection, habitual piercing takes a terrible toll on the skin.

To address this problem, the Japanese medical equipment corporation Terumo began developing a needle designed to cause less pain and skin scarring. Their first challenge was to design a 33G* needle with a diameter of only 0.2 mm at the tip, which could avoid hitting one of the 100-to-200 pain receptors per square centimeter of skin surface. Their solution was the Nanopass 33G. Injection needles are typically manufactured by shaping a metal plate into a cylinder, then stretching it until it is very thin before cutting it into pieces. It may not sound very difficult to produce extremely thin needles, but the smaller the diameter of a needle, the higher the infusion

resistance in the interior of the needle, which prevents the drug inside the needle from travelling properly toward the tip. Terumo’s development team found a solution known as a “double-tapered structure.” Both the exterior and interior diameters of a needle are gradually tapered off at the tip to facilitate the flow of insulin. Instead of using conventional manufacturing technology, Terumo opted for a revolutionary new production method where a metal plate is rolled up directly into an extremely thin tapered shape (lower right illustration).

The unprecedented shape of the proposed needle made it difficult for Terumo to locate a manufacturer capable of producing it. After approaching more than a hundred corporations and backstreet molding shops, it found Okano Kogyo, a company known for its superb mold and die technology. “Even for Mr. Okano, the challenge of creating the proposed needle was a difficult one,” recounted Takao Matsuo, a member of Terumo’s development team. It took three long years to create a finished product that satisfied everyone.

Further challenges Three years had passed, and the goal seemed so near. The product was ready for manufacturing. Press machines capable of delicately pressing a small metal plate to gradually roll it into a cylinder with an exterior diameter of only 0.2 mm were built. A few additional steps, such as welding, attaching the edge and assembly, would in theory result in a finished injection needle ready for shipment.

But the team encountered an unexpected problem. When the finished needles were bundled together, their tips tended to puncture each other’s bodies. The needle

● Contact: Terumo Corporation www.terumo.co.jp * Comparative Gauge Guide (indicating needle thinness) 32G/0.23mm 33G/0.20mm 34G/0.18mm

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2014 vol.22

itself was ill-balanced, making it difficult to place the needles side by side. To process tens of thousands of needles efficiently, each needle would have to be properly handled and packaged.

It took an additional two years to set up a new manufacturing line to address the issue.

Like the edge of a Japanese sword In addition to its extremely small tip diameter, the Nanopass has another special feature that helps to reduce pain. The edge of a conventional injection needle has symmetrical sides with a cone-shaped pointed end. This shape causes the infusion pressure exerted at the tip of a needle to concentrate on one point of the skin surface, causing the “pricking” sensation as the tip punctures the skin. The edge of the Nanopass needle is asymmetrical, almost like a Japanese sword. This edge comes into contact with the skin surface linearly and gently opens a tiny slit on the skin rather than puncturing it. The tip of the needle enters the skin with little resistance and without affecting the surrounding pain receptors.

In 2005 Terumo unveiled the Nanopass 33G, a pain-free insulin injection needle that was the thinnest in the world, followed by the even thinner

Diabetes is becoming more widespread in children. The Nanopass resulted from deep concern for these children, as well as the tenaciousness exhibited by Terumo’s development team. It is a milestone achievement in the field of injection needles.

Opening a tiny slit on the skin rat Front Side her than puncturing it

Nanopass 34G in 2012. This needle, which has an external diameter of only 0.18 mm, has brought a lot of relief to patients with diabetes.

A developed view of th e double-tapered struct ure The Nanopass utilizes a double-tapered structure, i.e., the exterior and interior diameters of the needle are gradually tapered off at the tip.

The sword-like edge of the Nanopass. It opens a tiny linear slit, causi ng less pain and skin strain.

2014 vol.22

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Hotels to seek out again and again

また行きたい

宿

を探して

Restaurant in a hotel, or hotel in a restaurant?

Takashimaya

- Registered Tangible Cultural Property Echigo Iwamuro Spa This inn at the Echigo Iwamuro spa elicits feelings of nostalgia even on the first visit.

Takashimaya offers kaiseki banquet cuisine made from local ingredients and unpretentious, unobtrusive hospitality in an historic building. Time spent in soul-soothing lodgings like these has to be an indulgence of the highest order.

Niigata is a land of stunni ng scenic beauty. After th e snow melts, the fields b ecome a riot of spring flo wers. Summer skies are a startling blue by day and f illed with fireworks by nig ht, while in autumn the m ountains shimmer with vib rant reds and golds.

When winter comes, the l andscape begins to resem ble an ink painting, a worl d shut off by snow.

Photos: Yuko Iida Text: Hayato Nakatsuki

The friendly proprietress, a much-loved l ocal character, offers a warm welcome to travelers.

Echigo Iwamuro Spa Takashimaya 越後岩室温泉

髙島屋

The Takashimaya inn at the Echigo Iwamuro spa is a firm favorite with celebrities. On his way home from a night there, veteran actor Tetsuya Takeda reportedly declared, “Everything is just right”. People in Echigo (now part of Niigata Prefecture) know Takashimaya as the former home of a village headman. But what makes it so captivating for seasoned travelers from further afield?

Defeated in the siege of Osaka Castle Takashimaya's beginnings can be traced back to a samurai from the village of Tanaka, which was located in the Takashima District in the old province of Omi far to the west of Echigo. In 1615 clan head Hidetaka Takashima fought in the siege of Osaka Castle on the side of Toyotomi Hideyori, but lost. As a result, his son Sagoemon Masataka fled his native land, passing through Echizen (now the northern part of Fukui Prefecture) before settling in Iwamuro as a blacksmith.

In the Edo period Masataka took on the role of headman, becoming responsible for the governance of the village. In 1878 the Meiji emperor rested at Takashimaya, which was by then an inn, during a tour of the Hokuriku region. The inn’s main building was originally a mansion built 260 years ago in the Edo period.

On entering the spacious front entrance hall you will see the reception area immediately ahead. After removing your shoes, you will find yourself naturally guided toward a shared living room on the left. There you will see a grandfather clock marking time in stately fashion, a traditional fireplace, and thick roof beams built to withstand heavy snow. Neither too big nor too cramped. You'll feel the weight fall from your shoulders at once.

Where shogi 34

2014 vol.22

champions clash All guest rooms are fitted out in uncluttered traditional Japanese style. Three rooms have outdoor baths, and there is also an annex in the style of a traditional house.

The special “Tokiwa” room, which offers views of a bamboo grove, is also known as “Taikyoku no Ma” and is a frequent venue for shogi and go competitions (taikyoku meaning to play a board game of this sort). This year the fourth round of the Kisei shogi title tournament was due to be held in Tokiwa on July 15, but title-holder Yoshiharu Habu won the first three matches consecutively, eliminating the need for a fourth.

The communal baths draw water from the Iwamuro hot spring, actually said to have been discovered by a Takashimaya forebear.

It makes for a fascinating story: in 1713, a white-haired old man appeared at the bedside of one Shozaemon Takashima and told him to search Iwamuro in a certain way. When he followed these instructions, Takashima encountered a wild goose soaking in spring water to soothe a wound. The Iwamuro spa is therefore also known by the alternative name of “water of the ghost goose”.

Wining and dining Echigo/Niigata is widely known as a rice-producing region. Good fishing grounds nearby also make it a great location for fresh seafood.

The head chef at Takashimaya carefully selects the best of these ingredients for each part year and designs menus to complement the changing seasons. Typically this will be a range of kaiseki dishes starting with pre-dinner snacks and proceeding to soup, sashimi, grilled, simmered and fried dishes.

When beautifully-presented food prepared with no effort or expense spared is combined

with sake from local breweries, the results are amazing, each dish taking on an especially exquisite flavor. This is why Takashimaya is known as “the restaurant you can stay at”, and many guests come here specifically for the food.

Everything is just right A stately high-end ryokan polished to gleaming perfection inside and out is certainly a place many of us would love to visit. Conversely though, if the opportunity does arise, it can be hard to relax amid what can be slightly intimidating surroundings.

However, for those who believe that nothing beats escaping everyday routines for some well-deserved time out, Takashimaya is a wonderful find.

It has also served as the face of this area since the Edo period. The unpretentious, hospitable proprietress and head receptionist deploy networks built up through the generations to cater to the traveler's every requirement. What better service could one ask for from a hotel?

Head chef Yasushi Kaneko uses only the finest Niigata ingredients to serve up a kaiseki banquet (photo left).

A la carte choices include salt-grilled blackthroat seaperch (photo right), fugu sashimi (mid-November to arou nd February) and wagyu beef steak.

DATA

髙島屋

Koshi no Yado Takashimaya Price ¥19,590-¥44,500 (DBB per person, incl. tax) Location 678 Ko, Iwamuro-Onsen, Nishi-kan-ku, Niigata Prefecture Tel. 0256- 82-2001 http://takasimaya.co.jp 2014 vol.22

35 35

The search for Japan's top taste sensations!

ニッポンの 旨い！ を探せ！ 1

Myou no Kunjou

No effort spared to produce perfect smoked wild trout There was a time when every river in

Seiko's slow and painstaking smoking

Japan had its own dedicated

method produces top-quality products

fishermen, who would catch fish to

that taste even better with time.

order for inns and restaurants, and

Unfortunately, trout and char are not

supposedly even supply fish of

always available, but the Myou no

uniform size. Taking on nature in all

Kunjou range also includes beef and

its unpredictability to reliably deliver

chicken, and seasonal meats such as

the goods: they must have really

duck, venison and wild boar. Also

known their stuff.

available are smoked vegetables and

Nowadays fishermen with this sort of

fruit, all of which offer uniquely

dedication to their craft are thin on

delightful taste sensations.

the ground, doubtless due to the huge

Humans are the only animals to cook

changes in river environments—e.g.,

their food, and have been doing so for

river flow volumes—brought about by

at least 500,000 years. We can only

the construction of dams and dikes.

speculate as to when Homo sapiens

There are fewer fish, and those that

graduated from the simpler method of

remain are much smaller than in the

placing foods directly in flames or

past.

embers to curing them by smoke, but

These now-scarce trout and char are

one thing is certain: Madam Seiko is a

caught by fishermen and smoked and

worthy inheritor of that ancient tradition.

sold by Myou no Kunjou. Madam

One way to keep food from spoiling is to salt it heavily, yet this method diminishes the flavor. Madam Seiko keeps the woodchips burning through the night to create exceptional smoked goods that let you enjoy the flavors produced by curing.

Purchasing information Madam Seiko's homemade smoked goods Beef belly 200g ¥3000 Beef shoulder roast 200g ¥3000 Pork ribs 1 kg pack ¥7000 500g pack ¥3500 Bone-in chicken legs ¥1630 each Chicken wings Ten for ¥3000 Wild char Please enquire Wild trout Please enquire * All weights are before smoking

Duck, lamb, sika deer, vegetables, baskets of seasonal specialties and other items also sold.

Deliveries, catering, etc. available.

Myou no Kunjou 7-13-15 Soya, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba TEL: 047-374-1671 mail：info@kunsei.biz

2014 vol.22

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