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Symbiosis of beautiful starry sky and light environment 2024.03.10　Noriko Higashi The Yaeyama Islands became the first island in Japan to be certified as a starry sky protected area. However it’s still only tentatively certified because about 2% of the outdoor lighting still needs to be improved. How should we think about the nighttime scenery in order to protect the starry sky and to make the night comfortable for local residents? We had a discussion with the citizens along with the Mayor of Ishigaki. Thank you for joining us, Ishigaki! The Yaeyama Islands, including Ishigaki Island, are the first area in Japan to be certified by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA, Arizona) as a starry sky protection area. The Yaeyama Islands are provisionally certified because there are still some outdoor lights that need to be renovated. Through the symposium and walking around the town with local people, we explored what kind of nighttime scenery is needed in Ishigaki, where the night sky remains precious dark and tourism is a major industry. ■Symposium “Symbiosis of beautiful starry sky and light environment” was the theme of the lecture by Mr. Mende and tripartite discussion with Mr. Yoshitaka Nakayama, Mayor of Ishigaki City and Ms. Yoko Akagi, General Manager of Ishigaki Island Beach Hotel Sunshine, who is practicing hotel construction in consideration of light pollution. Looking back on the past light pollution countermeasures in the Yaeyama Islands, they exchanged opinions on how to…

Written by Acharawan ChutaratLighting DesignerBangkok There is still the bright side in every dark situation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.  At least, it has brought up opportunities for our friends of light to become closer, to share ideas, and to learn from each other by online communications.  Enlighten Asia 2021* keeps us connected.  Thank you Mr.Mende to think about us.  Since April 2021, the situation in Bangkok has been worsened until the time I am writing this article.  KMUTT has announced the temporary closure of all campuses in Bangkok from July 12, 2021, and uses online teaching/learning throughout semester 1/2021.  It means no official face-to-face activities until December 2021.  However, our students insisted to join the lighting workshop and expressed their passion that I can feel.  Students have made good progress in their own way which I very much enjoy working with them.  We adapted ourselves for learning. First, site selection, since we have limited access to sites, we discussed selecting sites they have been surveyed from previous classes that fit their interest. It strengthens their urban design class through different issues at night. Second, students had a chance to conduct observation skills for heroes and villains with my guidance before a worse situation.  Real experience is still important.  Third, we have learned from Tsinghua University, which is one of the schools that participate in this workshop, on data collection through different tools such as microblog, Baidu heatmap, Instagram using…

There is a famous hot spring called Kasanji in Hamamatsu, Shizoka. By fate, I was invited to the Hotel Kokonoe, run by the Entetsu Group, to view the annual firework show the last weekend in July. The scene from the hotel is picturesque with the waterfront of Hamanako Lake right out the door and Mt. Okusa in the background.　 And from this very spot we were to view the 5000 fireworks show. But in the meantime, we relished delicious delicacies of local fish and locally brewed sake. At 7:30 we heard the thundering “BOOM, BOOM!” signaling the start of the fireworks. The local children had written wishes on 1000 or more floating lanterns that now flowed in the lake current under the streams of exploding fireworks. It looks like the two launch pads for the fireworks were built in the middle of the lake. The setup is like a set of twins preparing to do battle, alternating the launch of fireworks, and trying to out do each other. But, fireworks are just not the same. Nowadays, there are various shapes, colors and even odd sounds. Yes, my guess is everything is devised so the audience won’t get bored. And that is something I just can’t understand. I really don’t think it is a very good idea to turn traditional Japanese techniques into high-tech entertainment just to indulge popular demand. We aren’t talking about LED`s. Fireworks don’t need to be that…

Hairstyles Interviewer:　Chika Makabe Makabe：Today I`d like to talk about your hairstyle. Also, I thought it might be fun to take a peek at your private life, a different side of the lighting designer, Mr. Mende. But let`s just see where the conversation takes us. Mende： Hmmm…Yes, let`s see… I am a very curious person, so I like to try new things. About my hairstyle, I have tried an afro before. Also, I used to part my hair straight down the middle! Makabe： I saw a rare picture of you with curly, permed hair when you were younger! For me, short hair, brushed back on the right side is the standard Mr. Mende. I don`t really have an impression of your playing around with your hairstyle. Mende：I think I got the perm right after I graduated from the university. I had a friend who lived in Nihonbashi and worked at a hair salon. This picture was taken around the time I just started working as a lighting designer. The ladies magazine JJ was doing a close up on “Up and Coming Lighting Designers.” Now that I see this picture again, it`s a little embarrassing. Although if I do something too strange, my wife will get after me! I have to consult with her, too! Makabe：I see. You take into account your partner`s feelings before trying a new hairstyle. By the way, on your online schedule, you have a monthly haircut scheduled…

2023.01.26-01.29　Masafumi Yamamoto + Yuki Ito　 Okinawa is a place where diverse cultures and histories are intertwined. In Okinawa, each region has its own unique streetscape, and this is due to the fact that each region has a completely different historical background. The following is a simplified explanation of the historical background of each area. The Naha area was severely damaged in the war and was rebuilt; the Koza area was influenced by the U.S. military base and retains a strong American culture; and the Bise and Imadomari areas retain the traditional streets of the Ryukyu Islands. By comparing the light environment of each area, this survey sought to determine what kind of lifestyle culture and light features each area has, and what kind of light is unique to Okinawa. ■Sakae-machi MarketSakae-machi Market, located in Naha City, is a shopping street that was established during the postwar reconstruction period and has remained almost unchanged since then. Today, the market is a lively place where locals gather during the daytime, but at night it transforms into a more local haunt, drinking district that is quite different from the impression it gives during the daytime. The only light at night is from the taverns and the faint fluorescent lights in the upper part of the shopping street. (Floor illumination: approx. 20 lx) The illuminance alone gives the impression of dimness, but the actual atmosphere was not as dark as the impression given by…