February 28th 2008 : 1st International Photovoltaic Power Generation Expo--- Koto-ku

I would like to report here about visiting “International Photovoltaic Power Generation Expo” with my daughter who has been interested in for 18 years.
In these days exhaustion of fossil fuels and global heating issue is getting worse and many major companies are focusing this technology. These are displays of Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd., SHARP, HONDA, KYOCERA, and Chinese/ Taiwanese company.
*Please click photo for larger image


Photo) Left: Characteristics of Thin-Film Photovoltaic Module, Center: CIS Tower in UK (Using Sharp’s solar battery), Right: EXPO Park and example of Innosho Forestry Co. Ltd.


Photo) Left: Example in Bayern in Germany, Center: Examples of use for light house in Mongolia or Nagasaki,
Right: Example in Sharp’s factory


Photo) Left: Examples at Airport in Salzburg in Austria, Center: Solar battery module integrated with roof tile,
Right: Example in Suzuka City Government Office.


Photo) Left: This is transparent type solar panel for windows,
Center: Presentation explains “Create energy / Energy saving” Right: 21st Century’s industrial complex


Photo) Left: Exhibition booth from China, Center: Solar panels on each roof of “Panahome”,
Right: We found a booth of KYOCERA

Photo) Left: Fuji Electric Systems Co., Ltd was showing example use of Flexible Amorphous Solar Modules,
Center: Architectural model of Flexible Amorphous Solar Modules,
Right: Residential solar generation system from Honda

These days those wealthy countries who have oil mine gouging price of oil. It may not only me who feels uncertain for the future.
For saving energy, preventing global warming, reducing carbon dioxide, future generation and for protecting earth, I strongly hope to use solar cell effectively.

February 24th 2008 : Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival 2008 (1) ---Bunkyo-ku

Feb. 24, I went to Tokyo Dome to see “Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival 2008”.
This is already 18th year of this event. More than 3000 species, 100,000 plants are gathered making this dome filled with vibrant colors and fragrance. Let me show you their elegant appearance by some photos.
*Please click photo for larger image


Photo) Left : View of main zone from the entrance, Center : The Japan Grand Prix (the first place) is as high as 3m, Right : Highest award winning plant. By 10 years it got this size.


Photo) Left : Award for Distinction (the second place) presented to same Grand Prix winner,
Center : Merit Award (the third place) 90 flowers of orchids,
Right : “Spring of Myougi Mountain” A fantastic pastoral scenery (the Display Division)


Photo) Left : Fuji Mt. colored by orchids. Center : “A rabbit and a turtle” Hurray! The turtle won!,
Right : “Our island” sounds fun! (the Display Division)


Photo) Left : “Fountain of orchids”, Right : Cattleya represents a flow of water (the Display Division)


Left : “Greenhouse with butterfly flying around”, Center: “Sleeping cat/ Greenhouse with butterfly fly around”
Right : “Japanese bride” with many white orchids (the Display Division)

Left : “A temple of orchids goddess”, Center : ”Life”, Right : “Spinning prima donna” (the Display Division)


Left : “Blessing of nature”, a presentation of Ena High-School students in Gifu. Pebbles are representing water, expressing silence, Right : “The swing” (the Display Division)

February 24th 2008 : Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival 2008 (2) ---Bunkyo-ku

This festival had many elaborate programs.
Wives of ambassadors to Japan exhibits a table setting using orchids, or a special exhibit of Masdevallia called Andes’ fairy.
I wonder how they brought such a many gorgeous orchids including 3m high Grand Prix plant into this Tokyo Dome. They allowed us to take photos so I ended up to take more than 250 by their beauties.

The most I impressed was Masdevallia. Maybe I felt familiar with after I visited Machu Picchu before. And also the dish display by wife of ambassador was interesting not only because of her individual characteristic but also could see the difference of each country. I hope she will participate every year.


From the left, The Dish Display by wife of Singapore ambassador to Japan (Miniature Display of Orchids by Wives of Ambassadors), her comment, The Dish Display by wife of Brazil ambassador (Miniature Display of Orchids by Wives of Ambassadors) was together with fruits, her comment


Photo) Left : A display of the room of Masdevallia “Inca Prince”, a orchid reminds you of fairy folk in Andes,
Center : Together with Machu Picchu, Mt.Waynapicchu in their back, Right : The exhibit of orchids named after the actress, Sayuri Yoshinaga.


Photo) Left : My favorite Japanese original orchid “Calanthe”, Center : Exhibit of Yuzan Nakano from Ikenobo style, Right: An event area guessing orchid species from their fragrance

The main zone for exhibits of 1st — 3rd prize award were surrounded by 4 theme in each blocks to give message to children, constituent element of nature, “Sun” “Water” “Wind” and “Soil” represented by orchids. It’s such a huge zone that I am always looking forward to see their theme each year.


Photo) From Main Zone; Message to the Children in the future, Left : “Sun”, Right : Part of “Sun”


Photo)From Main Zone; Message to the Children in the future, Left, Right: Part of "Water"


From Main Zone; Message to the Children in the future, Left : “Wind”, Center : Part of “Wind"


From Main Zone; Message to the Children in the future, Left : “Soil”, Center : Part of “Soil”