Annular solar eclipse in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 21 May 2012

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2012-05-21_jp-tokyo_eclipse.htm

[EN] Eclipse today ・ [FR] Eclipse aujourd'hui

[EN] Annular solar eclipse in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 21 May 2012

Despite clouds over 東京 (Tokyo, Japan), I saw the most beautiful scene in my life around 07:30 today: an annular solar eclipse. The sky darkened, the temperature dropped, the dogs went silent... The moon only let a thin sunny ring illuminate the sky and earth. I was deeply moved!


[FR] Eclipse solaire annulaire à 東京 (Tokyo, Japon) le 21 mai 2012

Malgré des nuages sur 東京 (Tokyo, Japon), j'ai vu la plus belle scène de ma vie vers 07:30 aujourd'hui: une éclipse solaire annulaire. Le ciel s'est assombri, la température a chuté, les chiens se sont tus... La lune n'a laissé qu'un fin anneau de soleil illuminer le ciel et la terre, ce qui m'a profondément ému !

Fashion exhibition in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 09 September 2007

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2007-09_jp-tokyo_wakita-expo.htm

I attended a fashion exhibition entitled 情報の官能 (The Senses of Information) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 09 September 2007 in company of 倫太朗 (Rintaro) to see artistic prototypes of smart clothes. This first exhibition of textiles and garments by 脇田研究室 (Wakita laboratory) featured binary ("0"s and "1"s)-based compositions, tools and artistic works such as color-changing dresses exploiting the Fabcell technology and the Wearable Synthesis concept. 脇田玲 (WAKITA Akira) founded the laboratory at 慶應義塾大学 (Keio university) in 2004 to investigate the future of information design; it is thus involved in fashion, communication and interactions.

Fabcell is a square textile invented in 2006 by 渋谷みどり (SHIBUTANI Midori), woven from flexible non-emissive yarns connected to electronic components, which color varies with temperature. There, the exhibited dress turned from green to red in a few minutes when electric current was applied to its conductive yarns. This technology is potentially useful for fashion or to inform about e.g. a wearer's emotions. However it is not yet ready for use in everyday life because the strong voltages used to quickly change the color are dangerous, the textile resists badly to washing, and small cells are still difficult to create.

The Wearable Synthesis concept defines clothes and accessories as modules with both input (e.g. temperature sensor) and output (e.g. colored lights) that communicate to generate various effects. For example, a dress may change its color according to other worn items, or to the presence of a friend. Such a model was exhibited but out of order when I went by.

Ph.D. graduation in Japan on 24-28 March 2006

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2006-03_jp-tokyo_phd-graduation.htm

I graduated from the doctoral course of 総合研究大学院大学 (Sokendai) at the university campus in 葉山 (Hayama, Japan) on 24 March 2008, and attended a related ceremony at 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) in 東京 (Tokyo) on 28 March during which I received a commemorative medal. The first ceremony gathered graduates of that semester from partner research institutes all over Japan, whatever their field; the second gathered only information technology graduates from my institute. These events ended my studies in computer science after three years of study and research in Japan under the supervision of 橋爪宏達 (HASHIZUME Hiromichi).

I received my diploma after the redaction of my thesis in English, a final presentation in front of all my thesis committee members, and the publication of my research in a scientific journal and at several international conferences. I am satisfied with the topic of my research (human fundamental needs in wearable computing) and with my achievements at 総合研究大学院大学 (Sokendai) and 国立情報学研究所 (National Institute of Informatics) considering that I spoke no Japanese when I came.

These three years were a great experience: it was my first long-term stay abroad, I learnt much, and I pondered about life; however I was socially unsatisfied. I visited famous places, attended festivals, and learnt Japanese; I can now discuss everyday topics without much trouble. As a novice scientist, I spent numerous weekdays reading about computers, people and the environment, using the excellent digital library of the institute. This new life gave me time and materials to think about what I want to accomplish in the long-term, what I want to do on a daily basis, what I want to experience, and where I want to live; answers still elude me but I fortunately clarified what I do not want. I just regret that the institute had so few students (60?) on site and that it was difficult to make friends with the Japanese, get to know them, and spend time together, which contrasts much with my stay in Seattle (United States of America) from July to September 2005.

Now, I hope to get a motivating and enriching job in Japan, properly learn the language, experience the culture in depth, and visit the country.

Snow in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 04 March 2005

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2005-03-04_jp-tokyo_snow.htm

I enjoyed snow in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) for the first time on 04 March 2005, walking the streets of 早稲田 (Waseda) area before going to work, as snowfalls are rare and flakes short-lived in the capital. Under a white sky and covered with snow, colorful 神道 (Shinto) shrines contrasted much with austere Buddhist temples.

Sanja festival in 浅草 (Asakusa, Japan) on 15 May 2004

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2004-05-15_jp-tokyo_asakusa-matsuri.htm

I saw–and recognized as such–members of the やくざ (Japanese mafia) for the first time in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) during the 三社祭 (Sanja Festival) held on 15 May 2004. During this annual festival, crowds carry for a few hours 御神輿 (portable shrines) in the streets of the 浅草 (Asakusa) area, which requires much endurance, in honor of the gods. This time, we could see for a short duration almost naked やくざ (yakuzas) riding portable shrines, their tattoos clearly visible...

Sumo wrestling at 靖国神社 (Yasukuni shrine, Japan) on 09 April 2004

Source and photos: http://horizons.free.fr/seikatsu/eng/memories/2004-04-09_jp-tokyo_sumo.htm

I saw my first fight of 相撲取り (sumo wrestlers) outdoors at 靖国神社 (Yasukuni shrine) in 東京 (Tokyo, Japan) on 09 April 2004, as a tribute to my cultural education in Japan. I appreciated the fights as well as the setting: sunny weather and free seats.