Latest news with #Tsuda
Asahi Shimbun
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Entomologist flying high with insect-themed bar in Shinjuku
An original cocktail inspired by the blue morpho butterfly, left, in Konchukan (insectarium) Bar Species in Tokyo's Shinjuku district (Rieko Oki) Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Tokyo's Shinjuku entertainment district, a curious speakeasy has emerged, where the bar flies actually have wings and a typical icebreaker between patrons might be: 'Nice thorax!' This is Konchukan (insectarium) Bar Species, a place where conversations over drinks about the wonders of the insect world take flight. Bar Species, located in a neighborhood teeming with bars, restaurants and izakaya pubs, features walls and counters adorned with insect specimens, some carefully mounted under glass, others very much alive. On a recent day at the bar, a Tsuda's giant stick insect (Megacrania tsudai) peeked bashfully from between the leaves, as if quietly observing the customers. The visionary behind this museum-bar establishment is 32-year-old Kazuyuki Oshima, a lifelong mantis researcher with an unusual dream: to create a space where people could raise a glass and speak freely—even romantically—about bugs. The drink menu features around 15 original cocktails, each inspired by the insect world. A luminous blue concoction, for example, evokes the iridescent wings of the blue morpho butterfly, while a protein-packed potable is made with powdered cricket. Guests often arrive with ideas of their own: 'Could you make something that feels like this bug?' Oshima, a self-taught cocktail craftsman, welcomes the challenge with enthusiasm and a smile. Even the bar snacks embody Oshima's whimsical vision. A bowl of mixed nuts arrives with mantis-shaped tweezers, inviting guests to nibble with entomological finesse. At the counter, patrons cradle their drinks in one hand and hold glass-encased specimens in the other, as bug talk fills the air. 'Did you know the elytra of the Hercules beetle can sometimes appear black instead of their usual amber? Why does that happen?' one excited guest asks. Another leans in, smartphone in hand, and says: 'I think this is a horsefly. I snapped it recently. Can you tell what species it might be?' Oshima, ever eager to share, responds with quiet delight and deep knowledge. 'Newspaper is perfect for storing collected insects as it absorbs both moisture and oils,' he explains. 'And here's a fun fact: The bright red color in Campari once came from cochineal scale insects.' LIFELONG FASCINATION Oshima's fascination with six-legged creatures began in early childhood and never wavered. He enrolled in an agricultural high school and later advanced to Tokyo University of Agriculture, intent on pursuing insect research. He immersed himself in exploring the taxonomy and morphology of praying mantises. The findings from his studies on how often they molt before reaching adulthood and how to identify species in their juvenile stages became the foundation of his doctoral thesis. In spring 2021, he earned a Ph.D. Since his student days, Oshima had nurtured a quiet yet vivid dream: to admire, discuss and appreciate insects—ideally with a drink in hand. Yet, no such place existed. So, he decided to 'build it myself.' Oshima found inspiration in a science-themed bar where he had once worked part-time as a student. It was a lively space where guests sipped cocktails while discussing the wonders of science. When he proposed his idea for an insect-themed bar, the owner responded with enthusiasm: 'Why not try it here?' In October 2021, about six months after completing his graduate studies, Oshima opened Konchukan Bar Species during a lull in COVID-19 cases. The pop-up operates on Sundays, Mondays, and holidays within the science bar space. On days when Bar Species is closed, Oshima continues working at the science bar while holding insect-themed workshops for children and writing academic papers. He regularly embarks on field expeditions overseas. Many of the specimens on display at the bar were collected by Oshima in the lush rainforests of the Guiana region in South America. Word of the bar gradually spread on social media, attracting a modest but devoted following. Bar Species now boasts around 20 regulars, with guests traveling from as far north as Hokkaido and as far south as Kumamoto. Children are welcome, too. To cater to families and out-of-town visitors, the bar opens at 3 p.m., earlier than most. BRINGING JOY Among the regulars is 58-year-old Sachiko Idei from Kanagawa Prefecture, who has been frequenting the bar for about two years. Captivated by the beauty and strangeness of insects since childhood, she had long resigned herself to enjoying them alone. No one around her truly shared her passion. 'People often say bugs are disgusting,' she says. 'But here, I can talk about them as much as I like. It brings me so much joy.' As for Oshima, he hasn't ruled out opening a full-time insect bar one day. 'Insects make up the vast majority of all animal species on Earth,' he notes. 'I've learned so much from the people who come here. Every conversation lights up the room. It's exactly what I always dreamed of.'
Yomiuri Shimbun
29-06-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Elementary School Students in Noto Region Show Decline in Physical Endurance; Decline May Come from Changes in Living Environment
Elementary school students in areas affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake are declining in physical endurance, according to a study by an associate professor. Physical endurance can be improved by strengthening muscles and cardiopulmonary functions through exercises such as walking and running. The decline in physical endurance seems to have been caused by a decrease in opportunities for students to do physical exercises. One of the reasons is that school buses have been used to take them to and from school in areas that saw schools consolidated after the earthquake. Ryosuke Tsuda, associate professor at Kanazawa Medical University, analyzed the results of the National Survey of Physical Fitness, Athletic Performance and Exercise Habits for 217 male and female sixth graders who graduated in March 2025 in the northern part of the Noto Peninsula. The region was severely affected by the earthquake. He then compared data taken before the earthquake, when the students were fourth and fifth graders, with the post-earthquake data taken when they were sixth graders. The data showed that the results of the 'shuttle run' test, which requires physical endurance, declined and slowed down. In the shuttle run, students run back and forth between two points 20 meters apart for a set amount of time. Usually, students in higher grades can do more runs. The latest analysis shows that the number of shuttle runs by girls increased from 39.5 when they were in the fourth grade to 45.4 when they were in the fifth grade. However, the number declined to 44.3 when they were in the sixth grade after the earthquake. The number was lower than that of the previous year's sixth graders with 51.2 runs. The number of shuttle runs by boys also increased from 47.4 when they were fourth graders to 52.3 as fifth graders, while it remained almost unchanged at 52.7 when they were in the sixth grade. The number was also lower than that of the previous year's sixth graders with 59.4. As for the 50-meter run, which requires students to use their leg and hip muscles, both boys and girls were 0.1 to 0.2 seconds slower than the previous year's sixth graders. There was no noticeable change in activities that require flexibility and athletic skills, such as bending forward and throwing balls. 'Although the data analyzed was limited, it is possible that the decline of the results of activities that involve daily exercises has been caused by changes in [the students'] living environment,' Tsuda said. 'Many schools have limited spaces for exercises, such as temporary school buildings built on school grounds, and it is necessary to consider ways to offer more opportunities for students to exercise,' he added.
Sharjah 24
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
Top Japanese animation experts share secrets at SAC
The session saw speakers – Tomomi Kimpara, Tsuyoshi Nishimura and Ryosuke Tsuda – walk participants through the stages of building a complete animated sequence, highlighting how lighting, texture, and perspective unify character and environment into one cohesive frame. Explaining the meticulous craft behind smooth animation, Kimpara emphasised the importance of 'nakawari' – the in-between animation that smooths out motion between major poses and the time sheet. 'In Japanese animation, where many teams work across layers and sequences, getting this right is what gives characters their signature fluidity, and then the time sheet is everything because it keeps all the teams in sync,' said the seasoned animation producer and game developer. Tsuda, compositing director at ComixWave Films, gave the audience an insider's look at satsuei – a Japanese term that traditionally means 'photography' but in the world of animation refers to the post-production process where visual effects are layered to enhance a scene's mood and realism. 'Today's satsuei is basically Photoshop for animation,' Tsuda said. 'We use it to add things like sea reflections, lens flares, falling snow – small touches that make the world feel alive without distracting from the story.' Using real-time examples and clips from their past projects, the trio then showcased how subtle shifts in background lighting or character posture can dramatically affect mood and pacing. Attendees, many of them aspiring animators and students from across the region, responded with awe and admiration. 'It was like watching magic unravel,' said Egyptian Judy Mohammad, a 13-year-old high school student, who found the behind-the-scenes breakdown both eye-opening and inspiring. 'I never realised how much thought goes into every little visual effect. It makes me appreciate animated films even more.' For 23-year-old animation student from Yemen Fatima Hassan, the session offered a deeper appreciation of the technical artistry behind every frame. 'Seeing the behind-the-scenes process helped me understand how much effort goes into making even the smallest animation moment,' she said. Meanwhile, Emirati internal auditor Mansoor Saleh who paints as a hobby, said the session opened up a new perspective on the animation world. 'I learned how to think about a whole scene, not just the character. The background has a role in storytelling too, and they showed us how to make it part of the action.'
