著者

坂元 一光

出版者

九州大学大学院人間環境学研究院教育学部門

雑誌

大学院教育学研究紀要 (ISSN:13451677)

巻号頁・発行日

no.12, pp.31-47, 2009

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'Kansei' is a Japanese word covering a very broad range of meanings and connotations, such as delicacy in sensitivity, fine sensibility, sensitiveness, sensitivity etc. It plays a crucial role as we try to live a full life with good QOL. Though its importance has been pointed out, 'kansei' has thus far, never become a major subject of extensive academic research. Recently, however, many researchers have been kicked off in Japan by higher education institutions and governmental research projects, in order to scientifically clarify what 'kansei' really is. In addition, results of this research are intended to be put into use, to enhance the quality of life and further industrial development. Behind this increasing interest in 'kansei' lies the people's quest for new ways to perceive society, technology and civilization, as they live in the current post-modern society, which follows the end of the industrial society. In this study, the author provides a brief review of the concepts of 'kansei', and the senses as formulated by earlier 'kansei' researches conducted by Japan's academic and industrial worlds, as well as of their applications to some specific cases in people's lives. Furthermore, based on this review, the author provides preliminary reconsideration to the basic indices employed in earlier 'kansei' researches, which are collaborations between the industrial and academic worlds, between natural sciences and humanities, or interdisciplinary. Specifically, those basic indices include, among others: 1. structure, 2. value, 3. abilities, 4. physical aspects and 5. communality.