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2014 AUGUST
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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
18
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
30
34
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
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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. 06
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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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
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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
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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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