Objective evaluation of emotion (Kansei) was proposed to evaluate the state of mind of human beings, using analysis of brain wave (EEG). The EEGs were measured during and after the time that ten young women performed tasks that would elicit some emotions such as joy, excitement, irritation, and stress, among others. The subjects evaluated their own subjective feelings after each task. From the results of principal component analysis of the subjective evaluation values, the fundamental human emotions were explained along two axes, “Comfort (comfortable - uncomfortable)” and “Arousal (excited - calm)”, according to the opinions of many prominent psychologists. On the other hand, we calculated the cross correlation coefficients from power spectral analysis of α, β and &theta: waves measured through ten EEG electrodes. We tried to make a new database in order to calculate the emotions of human beings using “The Emotion Spectrum Analysis”, as proposed by T. Musha. The emotional values which were objectively calculated using the trial database agreed with the subjective evaluation values. In addition, we verified the above-mentioned trial database using emotions elicited from some odors.

View full abstract

So (Koto) is a traditional Japanese horizontal harp; in order to establish a measuring system for quantitatively evaluating the durability of So-strings using So-nails (Koto-zume), the authors developed a measuring apparatus. The durability of three kinds of So-string (silk, multi-polyester, mono-polyester) were determined. The apparatus used a simulated standard So-nail playing method. A So-nail was attached to the shaft of a motor and rotated at a constant speed. The So-nail played the string until it was broken. The authors defined the number of times the string broke as an indicator of the durability of the So-string and developed standard experimental conditions to compare the durability of different strings. The length, tension and play speed were 20cm, 147 N, and 180 rpm respectively. The silk, multi-polyester and mono-polyester strings broke at the times of 3267, 7450 and 11428 times, respectively.

View full abstract

Clothing pressure is evaluated by wearing clothes on a human body or a dummy and measuring the pressure using pressure sensors. We have developed a technique for predicting clothing pressure by the finite element method using the experimentally obtained tensile properties of knitted fabrics. Our technique does not involve making actual clothes. In this study, we succeeded in wearing the pattern of the girdle on a human body model by utilizing data that represent the pattern of the girdle and the bending of the girdle along the side of the model. After determining the comfortable pressure, the appropriate knitted fabrics that produce the target clothing pressure were chosen according to the predicted clothing pressure. A girdle was sewn using the chosen knitted fabric, and subjects wore this girdle; thus, it was verified that the girdle can provide a comfortable sensation because it produces the appropriate pressure. In addition, when wearing the girdle, the high-frequency component (HF) of the electrocardiogram (parasympathetic nervous system index) was high, and this is indicative of physiological relaxation. However, there were difference between the numerical clothing pressure using rigid body and the experimental clothing pressure measured by elastic Human body. Thus, depending on how to usage, the technique for predicting clothing pressure can be applied to the clothing design for the comfortable clothing pressure.

View full abstract

In this paper, high school girl′s opinion on image for kimono (modern kimono and classic kimono) and yukata (brand yukata and classic yukata) were studied.
The results were obtained by factor analysis are and the multiple regression analysis as follows:
1) The factor structure of high school girl′s opinion on image for kimono and yukata are interpreted as (F1) visual appeal, (F2) practicality and (F3) preference.
2) As a result of comparing the mean factor score of classic kimono, modern kimono, classic yukata, and brand yukata, in the case of (F1) visual appeal, it was found that high school girls rated modern kimono and brand yukata significantly higher than classic kimono and classic yukata.
In the case of (F2) practicality, it was found that they rated classic kimono significantly higher than brand yukata, classic kimono, and modern kimono. In the case of (F3) preference, it was found that they rated brand yukata significantly higher than classic yukata, classic kimono and modern kimono.
3) The following regression equation was obtained by the use of multiple regression analysis for (F1) visual appeal, (F2) practicality, (F3) preference, in the case of brand yukata, (F1) visual appeal=0.506+0.273×(F2) practicality + 0.230×(F3) preference.

View full abstract