Color images of multi-colored flower patterns were captured by a commercially available color scanner.The γ-correction was applied for the transformation from sRGB to XYZ of the CIE color system. X, Y, Z, L*, a*, b*, C*_ab and h_ab of the CIE color system were obtained for each pixel (i, j) in the color image. Mean values for L*, a*, b*, C*_ab and h_ab of all pixels (AVE-L*, AVE-a*, AVE-b*, AVE-C*_ab and AVE-h _ab ) were obtained as color information parameters. An averaged color was made by using the AVE-L*, AVE-a* and AVE-b* of a multi-colored flower pattern. Semantic differential analysis was performed on the multi-colored patterns and their averaged mono-colors according to the following feeling scales: heavy-light, deep-pale, dark-light, hard-soft, turbid-transparent and gaudy-plain. The heavy-light, deep-pale, dark-lightand hard-soft feelings had high correlation to the AVE-L*. Averaged mono-colors of multi-colored patterns were classified into 11 kinds of tones by a visual sensory test. The evaluation of the tones of the averaged mono-colors in multi-colored patterns was discussed in relation to the color information parameters.

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With the aim of proposing environmental conditions suitable for persons of all ages to thread a sewing needle, an investigation was conducted on the effects of illumination on the visibility in such conditions.Experiments were carried out using CIE standard illuminant D65 and A as a light source to investigate illuminant color effects on the work. Five colors, green, blue, white, gray and black, were chosen as thread colors and background for sewing, and visibility was assessed for various combinations of these colors. The results showed that the assessment scores for the two light sources were highly correlated, but there was almost no difference in the score among the illuminant colors. Then, effects of illuminance on threading work were assessed at 4 intensities, 50, 200, 500 and 1000 lux. The assessment was made for the sewing thread colors and background, blue, yellow, white and black. Under each condition, the time required to thread a needle was measured, and the sewers were asked about the visibility. Both young and older women answered that the visibility was poor when the color of thread was the same as that of the background. The visibility improved by elevating the light intensity. The correlation was significant at any illuminance. On the other hand, the threading time was shortened by elevating the light intensity. Among the young women, a significant correlation between the visibility and the threading time was found at a low intensity, whereas in the mature women, a significant correlation was observed at all intensities tested. The color difference was highly correlated with delta E*(ab) at all intensities and the effects of differences in lightness on visibility were greatest among those three attributes. From the present results, it was concluded that the illuminance required for threading a sewing needle was 200 lux or more for younger women and 1000 lux or more for older women.

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In order for elderly people to continue living in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, we aim to clarify the following points :(1)basic attributes/living features;(2)issues in daily life/reasons for request of housing improvement; and (3) necessary conditions for continuous living in the area.We distributed a questionnaire by mail to 2,600 elderly people in Sumida Ward from August 6 to September 20, 2010. There were 730 valid responses.When asked about where they would like to live, 87.9% had a desire to continue living in their own houses.Of the 11.9% of the residents who desire to move, 80% would like to move somewhere within Sumida Ward.One point eight percent desire to move outside of the ward.Those with a desire to live in houses are residents who own their house and who are in good health. Half of them have an annual income of over three million yen. To continue to live in their same houses are need to receive health assistance and home improvement assistance.Many of those who desire to move out of the ward Private rented houses, live alone, are in poor health and have a low annual income. Forty percent of those who desire to move hope to live in public housing, while twenty percent hope to live in homes for the elderly.Twelve out of fifteen residents who desire to move outside of the ward live in their own houses. Those households are more likely to consist of elderly people only or residents with health issues. The residents who desire to move will be able to continue living in the area if suitable housing facilities are prepared within the ward.

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Previous studies have stated that jeans were useful teaching material to help students understand the influence of globalization on our daily consumption. The purpose of this study is to clarify students’ interaction in home economics lessons regarding consumer life and daily consumption. The lessons using jeans as teaching materials took place between November and December 2010 at a high school in a metropolitan area. A discourse analysis was carried out to clarify students’ interaction during discussion.The theme of the discussion was “We need low-price jeans (850 yen).” Small groups of high school students were involved in preparing the debate.The purpose of the pre-debate lesson was to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the low-price jeans (850 yen). The statements of three members of the focus group were analyzed and it was found that students were able to understand both the advantages and disadvantages of low-price jeans.The processes for collecting students’ statements were clarified and the researchers found that the three students discussed the matter very well.

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We compared popular recipes of the Edo period, known for its model recycling society, with the modern and eco-cooking versions. Recycling indicator values measured after preparing modern, eco-cooking, and Edo versions of the same dish revealed the following respective findings: energy consumption, 2.9, 1.6 and22.7 kWh; water usage, 104.8, 22.2 and 34.0 L; food waste, 121.0, 20.5 and 17.0 g; and CO₂ emission, 658.7, 308.4and 0 g. The Edo recipe required more energy and longer cooking time, but had zero CO₂ emissions due to recycling, and comparable water usage and food waste to the recipes prepared by eco-cooking. The modern cooking method is convenient but wasteful, while the Edo version was eco-friendly but time-consuming. Eco cooking offers advantages over the other methods and greatly reduces the environmental impact.

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