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Publications

Journal articles

  1. Okamoto*, T., Takeuchi*, M., Sawayama, M., & Iwai, D. (accepted). Shadowless Projection Mapping for Tabletop Workspaces with Synthetic Aperture Projector, IEEE Transactions on Visualization and Computer Graphics (TVCG) Special Issue on the 2026 IEEE Conference on Virtual Reality and 3D User Interfaces (IEEE VR). *equal contribution
  2. Imura, T., Sawayama, M., Shirai, N., Tomonaga, M., & Nishida, S. (accepted). Development of Detection Sensitivity to Material Properties in School-Age Children, Scientific Reports.
  3. Adolphe, M., Pech, M., Sawayama, M., Maurel, D., Delmas, A., Oudeyer, P. Y., Sauzeon, H. (2025). Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence in individualized cognitive training: A systematic review, PLoS ONE 20(6): e0316860, 1-38. (Article)
  4. Liao C., Sawayama M., & Xiao B. (2024) Probing the Link Between Vision and Language in Material Perception Using Psychophysics and Unsupervised Learning. PLoS Computational Biology, 20(10):e1012481, 1-23. (Article)
  5. Takahashi N., Sawayama M., Chen X., Motomura, Y., Takeichi, H., Miyauchi, S., & Hiramatsu, C. (2024) Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Event-Related Potentials in Response to Color Saliency Differences Among Various Color Vision Types. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 18, 1-17. (Article)
  6. Kovač G., Portelas R., Sawayama M., Dominey P.F., Oudeyer P-Y. (2024) Stick to your role! Stability of personal values expressed in large language models. PLoS ONE 19(8): e0309114. (Article)
  7. Yashiro, R., Sawayama, M., & Amano, K. (2024). Decoding time-resolved neural representations of orientation ensemble perception. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 18, 1387393. (Article)
  8. Liao, X., Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (2023) Unsupervised learning reveals interpretable latent representations for translucency perception. PLoS Computational Biology, 19(2): e1010878 (Article)
  9. Adolphe*, M., Sawayama*, M., Maurel, D., Delmas, A., Oudeyer, P.Y., & Sauzeon, H. (2022) An open-source cognitive test battery to assess human attention and memory Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 1-16. *equal contribution (Article)(Code)
  10. Sawayama, M., Dobashi, Y., Okabe, M., Hosokawasa, K., Koumura, T., Saarela, T., Olkkonen, M., & Nishida, S. (2022) Visual discrimination of optical material properties: a large-scale study. Journal of Vision, 22(2):17, 1–24. (Article)
  11. Liao, C., Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (2022) Crystal or Jelly? Effect of Color on the Perception of Translucent Materials with Photographs of Real-world Objects. Journal of Vision, 22(2):6, 1–23. (Article)
  12. Kuroki, S., Sawayama, M., & Nishida, S. (2021) The roles of lower- and higher-order surface statistics in tactile texture perception. Journal of Neurophysiology, 126, 95-111, (Article)
  13. Okubo, L., Yokosawa, K., Sawayama, M., & Kawabe, T. (2021) Discounting mechanism underlies extinction illusion. Consciousness and Cognition, 90, 103100. 1-11. (Article)
  14. Kawabe, T., & Sawayama, M. (2020) A computational mechanism for seeing dynamic deformation. eNeuro, 7(2), 1-14, (Article)
  15. Nishida, S., Kawabe, T., Sawayama, M., & Fukiage, T. (2018) Motion Perception: From Detection to Interpretation Annual Review of Vision Science, 4(1), doi:10.1146/annurev-vision-091517-034328,(Article)
  16. Sawayama, M. & Nishida, S. (2018) Material and shape perception based on two types of intensity gradient information. PLoS Computational Biology, 14(4):e1006061, 1-40, doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1006061 (Article)
  17. Fukiage, T., Kawabe, T., Sawayama, M., & Nishida, S. (2017) Animating Static Objects by Illusion-Based Projection Mapping. Journal of the Society for Information Display , 25(7), 434-443, doi:10.1002/jsid.572, (Article)
  18. Sawayama, M., Adelson, E. H., & Nishida, S. (2017) Visual wetness perception based on image color statistics. Journal of Vision, 17(5):7, 1–24, doi:10.1167/17.5.7 (Article)
  19. Sawayama, M., Nishida, S., & Shinya, M. (2017) Human perception of sub-resolution fineness of dense textures based on image intensity statistics. Journal of Vision, 17(4):8, 1–18, doi:10.1167/17.4.8 (Article)
  20. Kawabe, T., Fukiage, T., Sawayama, M., & Nishida, S. (2016) Deformation Lamps: A Projection Technique to Make Static Objects Perceptually Dynamic. ACM Transactions on Applied Perception (TAP), 13(2), 1-17. (Article)
  21. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (2015) Stain on texture: perception of a dark spot having a blurred edge on textured backgrounds. Vision Research, vol. 109 part B, 209-220, doi:10.1016/j.visres.2014.11.017 (Article)
  22. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (2013) Spatial organization affects lightness perception on articulated surrounds. Journal of Vision, 13(5):5, 1-14, doi: 10.1167/13.5.5 (Article)
  23. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (2012) Local computation of lightness on articulated surrounds. iPerception, 3 (8), 505-514. doi: 10.1068/i0528 (Article)

Books

  1. Nishida, S., & Sawayama, M., (2026). Human Visual Perception of Shitsukan, In Shitsukan—Understanding and Manipulating Material and Quality Perception, Springer, 7-29. (Article)

Conference papers (ICLR paper, CGI, EuroHaptics)

  1. Lemesle*, Y., Sawayama*, M., Valle-Perez, G., Adolphe, M., Sauzéon, H., & Oudeyer, P. Y. (2022) Language-biased image classification: evaluation based on semantic representations International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) 2022. *equal contribution. (Article) (Code)
  2. Todo, H., Yatagawa, T., Sawayama, M., Dobashi, Y., & Kakimoto, M. (2019) Image-based translucency transfer through correlation analysis over multi-scale spatial color distribution Computer Graphics International (CGI) 2019, Calgary, Canada, also published in the Visual Computer doi:10.1007/s00371-019-01676-9 (Article)
  3. Kuroki, S., Sawayama, M., & Nishida, S. (2018) Haptic texture perception on 3D-printed surfaces transcribed from visual natural textures EuroHaptics 2018, Pisa, Italy

MISC (Preprints, Blog etc)

  1. Nishimura Y., Sawayama M., Yamashita, A., Nakayama, H. & Amano, K. (2024) BrainCodec: Neural fMRI codec for the decoding of cognitive brain states. arXiv, 2410.04383, 1-32. (Article)(Code)
  2. Kovač, G., Sawayama, M., Portelas, R., Colas, C., Dominey, P. F., & Oudeyer, P. Y. (2023). Large language models as superpositions of cultural perspectives. arXiv preprint arXiv:2307.07870. (Article)
  3. Sawayama, M., Lemesle, Y., & Oudeyer, P.Y. (2022) Watching artificial intelligence through the lens of cognitive science methodologies. hal-03729242, (Article)

Conference presentations (VSS, ECVP, Siggraph E-tech, SfN, CCN, etc)

  1. Lavan V., Sawayama, M., Bayet, L., Xiao, B. (November, 2025). EEG Decoding Reveals Task Modulation of Neural Representation of Materials, Society for Neuroscience (SfN) 2025, California, USA.
  2. Sawayama, M. (May, 2025). Seeing invisible material from visible image features, 25th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA.
  3. Hirano, J., Sawayama, M., Miyoshi, K., Nishida, S. (May, 2025). Individual differences in color perception with novel color axes, 25th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA.
  4. Xiao, B., Liao, C., Sawayama, M. (May, 2025). Probing visual and semantic representations in material perception using psychophysics and deep learning, 25th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA.
  5. Shioya, K., Hayashi, K., Li, B., Matsumoto, N., Sawayama, M., Matsuda, K., Miura, K., Eldridge, M., Saunders, R., Richmond, B., Nagai, Y., Miyakawa, N., Minamimoto, T., Katakami, S., Okado, M., Kawano, K., Sugase-Miyamoto, Y., (June, 2025). Neural Representations of Shape and Material of Objects in Monkey Area TE, Asia Pacific Conference on Vision (APCV) 2025, Sydney, Australia.
  6. Nakayama, R., Sai, R., Uno, K., Sawayama, M., Tsuchiya, N., Amano, K. (June, 2025). Comparing relational measures of emotional experiences: pairwise judgement and spatial arrangement based on emotional similarity, Asia Pacific Conference on Vision (APCV) 2025, Sydney, Australia.
  7. Yashiro, R., Sawayama, M., Yamashita, A., Amano, K. (August, 2025). Neural representations of implied motion in body-selective regions revealed by caption-based encoding models. Cognitive Computational Neuroscience 2025, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
  8. Liao, C., Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (2024). Probing semantic and visual representations in material perception through psychophysics and unsupervised learning. Cognitive Computational Neuroscience (CCN), Massachusetts, USA
  9. Yamashita, A., Sawayama, M., & Amano, K. (2024). Functional significance of shared brain state across various cognitive tasks. Cognitive Computational Neuroscience (CCN), Massachusetts, USA
  10. Sawayama, M. (2024). Sensor-based quantization of a color image disturbs material perception. 24th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  11. Liao, C., Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (2024). Probing the Relationship between Material Categorization and Material Property Estimation using Ambiguous Visual Stimuli. 24th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  12. Yashiro, R., Sawayama, M., Yamashita, A., & Amano, K. (2024). Probing unexplored areas in high-dimensional fMRI voxel space using an encoding model and image synthesis. 24th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  13. Yashiro, R., Sawayama, M., & Amano, K. (2023). Temporal dynamics of the visual representation of orientation ensemble perception. 23rd Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  14. Liao, C., Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (2023). Shared Representation of Different Material Categories: Transfer Learning of Crystals From Soaps. 23rd Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  15. Adolphe, M., Sawayama, M., Maurel, D., Delmas, A., Oudeyer, P.Y., & Sauzeon, H. (2022) An adaptive curriculum design for cognitive training of attention. 22nd meeting of the European Society for Cognitive Psychology (ESCoP), Lille, France
  16. Sawayama, M., Adolphe, M., Maurel, D., Delmas, A., Oudeyer, P.Y., & Sauzeon, H. (2022) Developing an open-source cognitive test battery for human attention and memory assessment. 22nd meeting of the European Society for Cognitive Psychology (ESCoP), Lille, France
  17. Liao, X., Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (2022) Unsupervised learning of translucent material appearance using StyleGAN. Conference on Cognitive Computational Neuroscience (CCN), San Francisco, USA
  18. Liao, X., Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (2022) A Perceptual Evaluation of the StyleGAN2-ADA Generated Images of Translucent Objects 22nd Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  19. Sawayama, M., Liao, C., Nishida, S. & Xiao, B. (2022) Replaceability of two deep generative models trained with a pair of translucent objects with different geometries 22nd Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (V-VSS), Online conference
  20. Takahashi, N., Chen, X., Sawayama, M., Motomura, Y., & Hiramatsu, C. (2022) Color saliency and attention change represented by neural processing in individuals with various color visions 22nd Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  21. Liao, C.,Sawayama, M., & Xiao, B. (May, 2021) Individual differences in classification of translucent materials using photos of real-world objects. 21st Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Online conference
  22. Okubo, L., Yokosawa, K., Sawayama, M., & Kawabe, T. (June, 2020) Why does a disk subjectively disappear in Ninio′s extinction illusion? 20th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Online conference
  23. Kawasaki, K., Miki, H., Anzai, K., Sawayama, M., Matsuo, T., Suzuki, T., Hasegawa, T., & Okatani, T. (2019) Spatial and time-frequency representations of glossy material properties in the monkey inferior temporal cortex. Society for Neuroscience 2019, Chicago, IL
  24. Kuroki, S., Sawayama, M., & Nishida, S. (May, 2019) Haptic discrimination of 3D-printed patterns based on natural visual textures 19th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  25. Sawayama, M., Fukiage, T., & Nishida, S. (May, 2019) Slant-dependent image modulation for perceiving translucent objects 19th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  26. Liu, X., Sawayama, M., Hayashi, R., Ozay, M., Okatani, T. & Nishida, S. (May, 2018) Perturbation Tolerance of Deep Neural Networks and Humans in Material Recognition 18th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  27. Sawayama, M. (Nov, 2017) Human visual perception of object qualities based on image statistics The Second ACM SIGCHI Asian Symposium, Tohoku, Japan
  28. Sawayama, M., Fukiage, T., & Nishida, S. (May, 2017) Perceiving shape of thin translucent objects from spatial transmittance variation. 17th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  29. Nishida, S., Kawabe, T., Fukiage, T., & Sawayama, M. (December, 2016) Animating Static Objects by Illusion-Based Projection Mapping. IDW/AD’16
  30. Sawayama, M., Shinya, M., & Nishida, S. (May, 2016) Perception of super-fine structures based on image intensity statistics. 16th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  31. Kawabe, T., Sawayama, M., & Nishida, S. (August, 2015) Deformation lamps: a projection technique to make a static picture dynamic. In ACM SIGGRAPH 2015 Emerging Technologies, p 8.
  32. Sawayama, M. & Nishida, S. (May, 2015) Visual perception of surface wetness. 15th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  33. Nishida, S., Sawayama, M., & Shimokawa, T. (May, 2015) Material-dependent shape distortion by local intensity order reversal. 15th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  34. Sawayama, M. & Nishida, S. (July 2014) Shape and material from intensity gradient: A hypothesis. Asia-Pacific Conference on Vision (APCV), Kagawa, Japan
  35. Sawayama, M. & Nishida, S. (May, 2014) Discrimination of highlights from reflectance changes using isophote maps of surface images. 14th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  36. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (May, 2012) Stain or shadow? Perception of a dark spot on textured backgrounds. 12th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  37. Kimura, E., Sawayama, M., & Goryo, K. (May, 2012) Spatial-frequency selectivity of interocular suppression caused by dynamic stimuli. 12th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  38. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (September, 2011) Synchrony grouping affects lightness perception on the articulated surround. The 34th European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Toulouse, France
  39. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (May, 2011) A fuzzy-edged region is perceived as differing in reflectance on textured backgrounds. 11th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  40. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (July, 2010) Common-fate grouping affects brightness perception on the articulated surround. Asia-Pacific Conference on Vision (APCV), Taipei, Taiwan
  41. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (May, 2010) Local computation of brightness on articulated surrounds, 10th Annual Meeting of Vision Sciences Society (VSS), Florida, USA
  42. Sawayama, M. & Kimura, E. (September, 2009) The influence of texture segmentation on brightness computation on the articulated surrounds. The 32nd European Conference on Visual Perception (ECVP), Regensburg, Germany