ABSTRACT
In order to enjoy an emotionally satisfying lifestyle despite the harsh environmental constraints that lie ahead, we need to envisage a sustainable society and consider the necessary technological components that would support such a society. This lifestyle-oriented approach in developing innovative technologies can be expected to be highly effective. This chapter looks at Japanese umbrellas in Kuchinai, Iwate Prefecture, as an example of how to extract technology elements and apply Bio-TRIZ to the development of key technologies that support an emotionally rich society. To be more specific, it explores how the folding and unfolding of a morning glory flower inspired a new style of Japanese umbrella that folds inwards so that the water droplets are enclosed inside. The chapter explains how the liquid crystalline film secreted by insects inspired the development of liquid crystal washi paper. It considers how the application of such innovative technologies inspired by nature can help to realize spiritually affluent lifestyles.
