Hanami

Hanami

We named the project "Hanami" because it stemmed from "Seeds of the Sakura", a digital media project completed in 2019 that aimed to increase understanding about Japan’s cultural history through the life experiences of a former University of the Pacific student, Sanji Muto. Hanami comes from the Japanese word hana meaning “flower” and translates to “flower viewing”. It is a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the fleeting beauty of cherry blossoms in the Spring. The popularity of viewing Sakura blossoms grew when Japan shifted focus to adopt an appreciation and sensitivity towards nature, many centuries ago. 

This site provides a description of a digital media project, Hanami, that aims to increase understanding about Japan’s cultural history through a series of Augmented Reality experiences installed in Sanji Muto study room located on the 2nd floor of William Know Holt Memorial Library and Learning Center. Augmented Reality allows you to display digital content overlay of an object in real life through a screen on a smartphone or table. Through Augmented Reality experiences, this student created project highlights of some of Sanji Muto’s timeless messages and Japan’s graceful cultural practices.

Hanami Project Overview

Professor Josh Salyers' Remarks 

Read the speech prepared by Professor Josh Salyers in anticipation of the Sanji Muto study room rededication ceremony. (video presentation coming soon)

Project Deliverables

Sanji Muto Digital Museum: Step into a virtual museum dedicated to Sanji Muto where you can explore different facets of Sanji Muto’s life. While exploring this museum, experience the sounds and sights of traditional Japanese culture. Click here to see a feature video of this experience. 

Screenshot of the Sanji Muto Digital Museum application.

Interactive Art Display: Scan the triangle pictures installed in the study room to have various forms of interactive media augment your experience. The interactive media contains images, videos, rich textual knowledge and auditory insight on the extraordinary life of Sanji Muto. Click here to see a feature video of this experience.

Japanese Teahouse: A miniature wooden replica of a traditional Japanese teahouse was constructed for the study room to highlight some of Japan’s graceful practices. Scan the teahouse to see an animated video about some of traditional Japanese social etiquettes. Click here to see a feature video of this experience.

You can experience these applications by downloading them from the Apple’s App Store or the Google’s Playstore. If you need a device, you can borrow an iPad Mini at the Ask Us desk. (additional information coming soon)

Software Used

1. Media Production
   • Audio Recording/Editing
     • Adobe Audition
   • Video Editing
     • Adobe Premiere Pro
       
       
2. 3D modeling
   • Blender
   • Maya
   • Adobe Mixamo
   • Daz Studio
     
     
3. Motion Capture
   • XSens Suit
     
     
4. Development
   • Unity
     • ARKit framework
     • Vuforia SDK

Team

Josh Salyers

Kadri Nizam

Keely Canniff

Mary Somerville

Motoko Day

Niraj Chaudhary

Ryan Inamine

Thy Son

Yusif Imanov