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16 September, 2010 Previously in March 2006 the Lighting Detectives navigated the Nihobashi and Kanda Rivers. It was such a unique experience leaving the Lighting Detectives wanting more, that we have tweaked the Tokyo river float tour to include the Sumida River and a view of the Rainbow Bridge, for a dramatic 3-hour tour. While most of the elevated highway system puts a cap on portions of the center of Tokyo, this creates dark spots with a colorful nightscape in the background, best viewed from, where else, but on the rivers. Survied by: Noriko Higashi, Haruka Sakoda, Genki Watanabe The 3-hour Tour. Lighting under the elevated highway system. Kanda River Kanda River Ochanomizu Station Platform Akihabara Rainbow Bridge Starting from Hamamatsucho Station, 40 Lighting Detectives boarded a houseboat rented from Nawasada Houseboat Company to navigate the Nihonbashi, Kanda, and Sumida Rivers of Tokyo in the cold and sprinkling rain. The Nihonbashi River, which is shielded mostly by the elevated highway system, started off the tour. From there, we navigated the more open canal of Kanda River, past Ryogoku Bridge, back to the Sumida River, and headed towards Asakusa. After viewing the Sky Tree, still under construction, the captain made a U-turn floating directly towards Odaiba and the Rainbow Bridge. In spite of the rain and cold weather, tour participants, all decked out in rain ponchos, boarded the boat and continuously snapped photos along the tour route, all seemly enjoying the…

Interviewer:　Noriko Higashi Issued on November 30, 2011 Noriko　：Before I started working at LPA, I taught English to children at elementary schools and at my home. I have always really liked working with children. Mr. Mende, how did you come about starting the children`s workshop? There was actually some very surprised staff at LPA!! Mr.Mende　：Children nowadays are exposed to an excessive intake of light and I want them to have the opportunity to experience just a small flicker of light and darkness while they are still young and innocent. I have hope for the next generation that their perception of light and shadow can be reset. But this higher principle aside, working with children is such a joy!! I think it is in my soul that I really like children….and small animals! I am basically a big kid and I want to recover the ability to behave and act freely. I am always saying “learn from natural light.” This is because natural light does not lie. Play and communicating with children is the same. They can make you aware of so many things. With unanticipated reactions, children are admirably hardy. Noriko　：There is one thing that I am curious about. Even a small, one-year old, baby has the strong motivation to make the workshop crafts by themselves, but adults are always lending a hand so they won`t fail. For example the candle might melt the plastic bottle or the shape is odd;…

Shimokitazawa is a neighborhood of small shopping streets and alleyways, projecting a strange, but comfortable atmosphere, as people crowd the backstreets until late in the night. However, plans to replace this quaint neighborhood with arterial roads and high-rises are underway. The detectives took what maybe a last chance to survey this area before it is “defaced.” The top half and rooftops of most buildings do not have any luminous signage. As a result, a bird’s eye view of this neighborhood is actually fairly dark. The station front plaza is filled with people listening to music from sidewalk acts or looking at street art. The crowds of people naturally overflow into a nearby street. If an arterial road is planned for this area, this atmosphere will be lost forever. Two streets back-to-back, but built to two different scales and with two different demeanors. On the left is Shimokitazawa`s main south entrance shopping street. With many interior decor shops, the lighting is bright and color temperature is high. One street inside and the atmosphere and lighting are more relaxed. Low color temperature, incandescent lamps from restaurants, cafes, and bars are the main source of light.

Lights in Izumo, Illuminating Cultural Values 2023.11.22-11.24　Masashi Kurobe+ Yuta Shibata The Izumo region has a long history and culture since the establishment of villages in the Yayoi period and the birth of Izumo Province. The Iwami region is a port town with hot springs that has existed since the Middle Ages including the town named Yunotsumachi which was developed as an outer port for the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, which is registered as a World Heritage site. What kind of light you can find in these two areas where rich history and culture of Shimane Prefecture remain? Can lighting enhance their cultural values? We investigated the light environment as well as the cultural background. Seven sacred straw woven cord (himorogi) are placed in a sacred space with shimenawa (sacred straw ropes) and a dragon serpent god who leads of the gods is positioned facing the sea Several floodlights illuminate the entire beach, beautiful when reflected in the waves The sign for the Kamimukae Festival just barely legible by the light of the wooden lanterns ■Introduction The towns of Izumo and Iwami Yunotsumachi in Shimane Prefecture have a long history and a variety of cultures since the birth of Izumo Province. We investigated what kind of light can be seen in the spark of the culture, as well as its historical and cultural background. This survey also made us, who have lived in cities for a long time, think about the…

Hide and Seek with Light, a reflective art workshop2024.12.19 Hu Lin + Xianyu Liu + Huangyi Lin On 19 December 2024, Lighting Detectives returned to Shenzhen, promoting sustainable urban design and light pollution awareness through creative community art. Eighty participants from diverse backgrounds gathered in Lianhua Mountain Park and transformed into “light artists”. After a five-year absence, on 2024 Dec. 19th, the Lighting Detectives returned to Shenzhen with a creative public event, Glow Shenzhen, claiming the First Gold Award in Glow Shenzhen 2024’s Infinite Illumination program. Collaborating with China Academy Of Urban Planning & Design Shenzhen Branch and Shenzhen Illuminating Engineering Society, the workshop focused on combating light pollution and preserving natural darkness in urban environments. Eighty participants from diverse backgrounds gathered in Lianhua Mountain Park and transformed into “light artists” through hands-on experiments. Using adjustable handheld flashlight and reflective materials, we explored the delicate balance between illumination and darkness, crafting temporary art installations with eco-friendly red lighting. Before the creative phase, organizers held a brief introductory lecture under the dome outlining the event’s core objectives. Our chief, Mr. Mende and Ms. Kasai shared the founding story of the Lighting Detectives and the past initiatives, particularly Shenzhen Nightscape 2030 event from five years ago. Attendees showed particular interest in signature programs such as Light Up Ninja, Night Walk and Children’s Workshop. At the end of the lecture, Mr. Lin Hu demonstrated the unique properties of different materials and guided participants…