今村祐嗣教授　研究のあゆみ

“Surprising story about Prof. Imamura”
Imamaura sensei, my suvervisor for my doctor study on the subject of “Weathering Properties of Wood”. The students in Lab. some times call him as “Yucang sensei”, he is a very kind Professor. After meeting and drinking with his colleague in the night around 10 p.m. frequently he come up for talking with us with very unique and interesting new findings. I’m very enjoyed with his style. It was a pleasure to spend time to study under supervisor Prof. Imamura. You gave me theory and nice camera for my studying, and also you send a beautiful flower to my family when my daughter, Hanna born at Uji hospital. Thank you very much Yuji Imamura sensei kaeshu koto ga deki maseng, hoping you always be health and happy.
I will not forget you with best regards,
Yanni Sudiyani

Memories of Early Work and Gathering.
I began advanced studies in Wood Deterioration Control at the Wood Research Institute of Kyoto University in 1999 and then met in particular the charismatic person, Professor Yuji Imamura. After a few months, I started to know him more when he showed me examples of handling a research project and enjoy gathering. Those experiences are very memorable to me. One occurred on a day out of doors, when he brought a note of beetle research preparation and asked students, including me, to work together. He was so simple and through doing everything, made me deeply understand the meaning and the sense of his hospitality and responsibility. On the other day, I spent a happy time at night after working with termite research projects in Kagoshima, when he asked me to go and enjoy ‘onsen’, when he assembled a good gathering dinner in a brightly Japanese style room, table, wine, fruits, and all the rest, when he asked me to drink ‘sake’. On that time, although I was particularly shy and sensitive, and a consciousness of even the least unconventionality, it made me deeply feel the sense of togetherness with the mixture of wonder, interest, and excitement. From my grateful hearts, thank Prof. Imamura for your kind support and guidance. May all your noble endeavors be graced with blessings.
With best wishes,
Musrizal Muin
Hasanuddin University, Makassar-Indonesia

EPISODE OF MY STUDY AT LABORATORY OF INNOVATIVE HUMANO-HABITABILITY
As a lecturer of Forestry Faculty, Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, West Kalimantan Indonesia, I am working at the Department of Wood Product Technology. The story was begin when I came to Japan for the first time in 2000 as a participant in the Third International Wood Science Symposium (IWSS) which was held at the former Wood Research Institute (WRI). I was fortunate to visit this institute since at that time I was able to met two very kindly persons, Prof. Yuji Imamura, Professor of the former Laboratory of Deterioration Control, and his Associate Professor, Dr. Tsuyoshi Yoshimura. We discuss focus on termite research.
Two years later, in 2002, Prof. Imamura invites me under the JSPS fellowship to come to Japan for two months to do a research at his Laboratory. My research efforts have been focus on the topic of development of integrated technology for high-􀀂 performance utilization of tropical forest resource. From this research we have publish a paper in Jpn. J. Environ. Entomol. Zool. This is the first International Journal for me. Besides doing research, I had a chance to participate in the Japan Science and Technology Corporation International Symposium, “Bio-recycle Research on Termites and Their Symbiotic Microorganisms” in Saitama. I was very contented. Prof. Imamura, my deep thanks to you.
In October 10, 2003, I was quite excited to return Japan as for doctorate course at the same Laboratory with scholarship from the Monbukagakusho under the supervision of Dr. Tsuyoshi Yoshimura. My research has focused on the dry-wood termite, Incisitermes minor (Hagen), an invasive pest termite from the western region of the United States. This exotic species has been reported in a number of locations in Japan. My work focuses on the infestation, feeding ecology, and control strategy for this pest insect.
Studying in Japan has been an important opportunity for me. Laboratory of Innovative Humano-Habitability has provided me well maintained equipment and unlimited research possibilities including wood material and literature to carry out my project. In addition, Prof. Imamura and Dr. T. Yoshimura have helped me in fruitful discussions on my research. And also other members of the Laboratory of Innovative Humano-Habitability have given their hand to assist me in adaptation how live in Japan. I was very lucky take my PhD course at this Lab. My sincere appreciation for Prof. Imamura.
Since my research focus on termite, during take PhD at Laboratory of Innovative Humano-Habitability I have many chances to visit termite field test site such as in Okayama and Kagoshima Prefecture, whereas we do not have in my Faculty. That was could be an aspiration to create the termite field test in my own Faculty. Besides visit the termite field test, I also have opportunity to see Termite Control Company controlling dry-wood termite in several prefecture in Japan. It was also could be an important experience fro me as a termite researcher. After three years doing research, we published 6 papers in international scientific journals, and 2 papers in local scientific journals. In addition, I have attended three international and two national conferences, namely The 2nd Conference of Pacific Rim Termite Research Group in Bangkok, The XV International Union for the Study of Social Insect in Washington D.C and the 4th Conference of Pacific Rim Termite Research Group in Taiwan. The 54th and 56th Annual Meeting of The Japan Wood Research Society in Hokkaido and Akita,

Samurai Rock
Joko Sulistyo
(Faculty of Forestry, Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta – Indonesia)
Party is a common custom and tradition in Japan to celebrate various momentous occasions from a celebration new year to celebrations to welcome and farewell someone. This custom is also carried on the laboratory of Innovative humano-habitability of RISH – Kyoto University, a place where I had a 4-year research as a doctoral student under supervision of Prof. Yuji Imamura. During I was a student I had many parties with my laboratory colleagues including Prof. Imamura, for example party for welcome and farewell many scientist such as Dr. Tarakanandha, Dr. Nami Kartal, Prof. Lenz, Dr. Tachiouglu or many students such as Dr. Fujisawa, Dr. Erwin, and celebration of 60th birthday of Prof. Imamura. In the parties, Prof. Imamura and most of my colleagues in the laboratory especially Japanese drunk alcohols such beer and sake. While students from Indonesia, including me, only drunk various juice and other non alcohol drinks. Even, Prof. Imamura and our colleagues always offered me alcohols at that time I did not interest in drinking alcohols. One thing in the party that was very funny for me is when Prof. Imamura always poured sake to the students’ cups. He never stopped doing this until the student becoming tipsy. After that the circumstance in the party became hilarious. Everyone made jokes and told many funny stories. Suddenly all laboratory members were changed from introverted persons to confident ones in telling their stories and jokes. I though that this showed how Prof. Imamura made the party becoming a time of cheer. It was because he is a humorous person, and moreover because he also likes drinking alcohols very much.
Even I was not interested in drinking alcohols. But in the last year of my study I found a delicious cocktail named “samurai rock”, made from mixture of sake rice wine and lime juice. In some occasions I drank it and then became fond of this kind of cocktail. Furthermore it became very special for me when Prof. Imamura invited me to drink “samurai rock” with him and several laboratory members in the second party after my farewell party with all laboratory members. It was his kind attitude to express his compliments for me.
This short story shows me how kind Prof. Imamura to care me as his student. And during the entire time of my study in Japan, Prof. Imamura gave his kindest support, guidance and encouragement so that I could finish my doctoral course in Graduate School of Agriculture of Kyoto University in 2009. From the deepest of my heart, I would like to thanks him.