〈留学生レポート〉

Ikimasho!

Ikimasho!
Jean-Patrick Cochard

September 2008. After a 3-month stay in a Japanesecompany (Isolite Insulating Products), I decided to cometo Japan once again, and precisely at Tajimi.
After several administrative procedures, it was time to
get a flight to Centrair Japan! Ikimasho!!!
Early April, I arrived at Nagoya airport, where I met
Professor Ota and Mr. Imai. Then we went by car to Tajimi
and I discovered the guesthouse, the place wherein I lived
for six months. It really was cozy; moreover there wasa very useful air conditioner in the room. In fact, the outside
temperatures were slightly beginning to increase.
Anyway, I was fine in my new place! Despite the jetlag
effects, I went to a very very good restaurant with professorsand Mr. Sia. During the following days, everybody was very
welcoming with me and tried to help me.

Then, it was time for the first bbq party. It was an excellent
way to meet people of the laboratory but also to taste
Nihonshu, Shochu and Japanese whisky. Partying eitherwith students and professors was very pleasant.
Nevertheless, I came to Japan not only to have fun but
also to work. Being the only one student working on thisproject, the first weeks were relatively intense. I discover
the other research students and the professors. Everyone
was very kind with me. My project was really interesting
and I began my work with curiosity.
One thing, for sure, that I like in Japan is the food. Ilove it. Well … maybe not tofu or miso soup, but mostof the other dishes are delicious!

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Jean-Patrick Cochard

However, the probably more interesting thing, when youlive a while in a foreign country, is the activities and thetravels. During my stay, I had the occasion to travel alot. Having already climbed the Fuji-san and visited somebig cities such as Tokyo or Osaka, two years ago, I took
the opportunity to visit some smaller cities: Inuyama, Gifu,
Gamagori... It was very nice and totally different fromthe so big city of Tokyo!
I also spend several weekends in Nagoya. I travel all
around the city and now, I know a lot about this city:from Sakae to Kanayama, from Ozone to Tsurumai, theTV tower, the castle, the world largest cosplay festival…

Among the cities that I visited, one of my favorite isHiroshima. The atmosphere of the city was so special.
It was very interesting to speak with some Japanese people
on this so special location.

During this trip to Hiroshima, I took the opportunity
to go to Miyajima, which is considered to be a holy place.
Of course I went to Itsukushima Shrine but I also climbed
Mt Misen, which offers gorgeous views of the island andthe sea. It was pretty difficult but the view was beautiful!

In early May, I went to Utsumi beach. Weather wasvery hot but the ocean was so cold…
I didn t go back to Fuji-san a second time, but I climbed
some other mountains: Ibukiyama (borders of Shiga andGifu prefectures) and Fujimidai (Nagano Ken). I also wentto Onsen on the middle of the mountains of Nagano
Prefecture!
I also had the chance to assist to a traditional Japanesemarriage on this site!
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Ikimasho!

But I was not in Japan just to travel, I made a poster
presentation during the 22nd Fall Meeting of the Ceramicsociety of Japan. This event took place in Matsuyama,
Ehime prefecture. It was for me, the first official
presentation that I made. I explained my work andeverything went good.
It was just a poster presentation session but it was reallya good experience.

I also went to Osaka. I visited the castle and went tothe Universal Studios. It was funny and pleasant, but myfavorite Japanese city is Kyoto.

For this occasion, together with professor Ota, we hada delicious dinner in a Japanese restaurant and we went
to Dogo Onsen, which is one of the most famous onsen
in Japan. Tanoshi kata!
I love this city. I visited Kyoto three times during mystays in Japan and I spent more than ten days in the city.
The atmosphere is so special and there are so many things
that can be done there: Kinkaku-ji, Ryoan-ji, Kamigamo
Shrine, Nijo castle, To-ji, Kiyomizu-ji, Ginkaku-ji andso many others…

Then it was time to leave Japan. The young membersof the compo group helped me a lot. They also organized
a lot of lunches and dinners in the laboratory. I also received
a beautiful present from them. Finally, we went to the airport
together and I want to thank them for that.
I was very sad to leave my friends there, but happy tocome back in France to see my girlfriend and my family!

＊ 09 年 4 月 3 日 〜 9 月 21 日、フ ラ ン ス ENSCI か ら FIRE

program により 来日し、 Preparation of flexible ceramics bymimicking itacolumite に関して研究を行った。

Thank you very much everybody!
I hope to see you soon!
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