Kumamoto International Archive

Archive of the Kumamoto International Facebook group, 2011–present.

Last year, British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a coughing fit that interfered with a speech she was giving. At that point Chancellor Philip Hammond passed her a lozenge, which the Prime Minister sensibly put in her month.
https://edition.cnn.com/2017/10/04/europe/theresa-may-speech-disaster-conservative-party-conference/index.html
That was the UK. Now for Kumamoto. To avoid a similar coughing fit, Yuka Ogata used a lozenge while she addressed the city council. Later when the chair asked her if she had something in her month she explained that she was using a lozenge because she had a cold. This led to the sudden convention of a disciplinary committee which, in it's infinite wisdom, censured Ms. Ogata and required her to read the following:
"On the 28th of September, when I stood to address the chamber, I violated Article 134 (which prohibits undignified behavior) of the council rules. In view of the need for members to behave in a dignified manner, I deeply regret my thoughtless behavior. I am deeply sorry and hereby apologize."
私は9月28日の本会議において、質疑中に演壇において、本市会議規則第134条に抵触する行為を致しました。議会の品位を重んじなければならない議員の職責に鑑みて、軽率な行為であり深く反省いたします。まことに申し訳ありません。ここに陳謝いたします。
✳︎134条議会の品位を重んじなければならない
Ms. Ogata refused to read this humiliating statement and was therefore further sanctioned by being excluded from the city council meeting for one day.
This is not the first time that Ms. Ogata has locked horns with the leadership of the city council. Earlier this year, she was sanctioned for attempting to bring her infant son into the chambers:
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/03/13/japan-council-bans-non-members-meetings-politician-brings-baby/
-- Kirk
P.S. The Japanese photo was taken from
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/kumamoto/article/453408/
Also, I have reposted this because my use of a Japanese article in the previous version interfered with the sharing of the English text.

Last year, British Prime Minister Theresa May suffered a coughing fit that interfered with a speech she was giving. At that point Chancellor Philip Hammond passed her a lozenge, which the Prime Minister sensibly put in her month.
https://www.wired.co.uk/article/theresa-may-coughing-speech
That was the UK. Now for Kumamoto. To avoid a similar coughing fit, Yuka Ogata used a lozenge while she addressed the city council. Later when the chair asked her if she had something in her month she explained that she was using a lozenge because she had a cold. This led to the sudden convention of a disciplinary committee which, in it's infinite wisdom, censured Ms. Ogata and required her to read the following:
"On the 28th of September, when I stood to address the chamber, I violated Article 134 (which prohibits undignified behavior) of the council rules. In view of the need for members to behave in a dignified manner, I deeply regret my thoughtless behavior. I am deeply sorry and hereby apologize."
私は9月28日の本会議において、質疑中に演壇において、本市会議規則第134条に抵触する行為を致しました。議会の品位を重んじなければならない議員の職責に鑑みて、軽率な行為であり深く反省いたします。まことに申し訳ありません。ここに陳謝いたします。
✳︎134条議会の品位を重んじなければならない
Ms. Ogata refused to read this humiliating statement and was therefore further sanctioned by being excluded from the city council meeting for one day.
-- Kirk
https://www.sankei.com/west/news/180928/wst1809280102-n1.html
喉あめ服用で懲罰動議可決　子連れ騒動の熊本市議会
喉あめをなめながらの登壇、是か非か－。２８日に開かれた熊本市議会の定例会本会議で、乳児を連れて議場に入り騒動となった緒方夕佳市議（４３）が喉あめを口に含んで請願…

Due to the approach of the typhoon, the fireworks that had been planned for Ezuko tomorrow have been cancelled. Unfortunately, the event will not be rescheduled; it will not occur this year. -- Kirk
江津湖花火大会、台風接近で中止　順延もなし | 熊本日日新聞 - This kiji is
　熊本市東区の下江津湖一帯で２９日に予定されていた「江津湖花火大会」は台風２４号接近に伴い、中止が決まった。２８日、市が発表した。順延もしない。　台風による強風や大雨が予想されるため。順延予定だった.....

Joe Tomei with a Funky Family Friday Place! Apologies for the absence and with classes starting, this feature may be a bit irregular, but today's place is in Nagomi, just off of the Kikusui interchange. It's a set of places, the Kikusui Roman Kan, an excavated Jomon village and a camping and canoeing site.
http://kikusuiromankan.jp/
The site has pictures, it looks like a fun place to take kids. Enjoy!
キャンプ・バーベキュー・カヌー業務変更に付いて | 道の駅きくすい菊水ロマン館公式サイト
キャンプ・バーベキュー・カヌーが受付が変りました。キャンプ・バーベキュー・カヌーのお問い合わせは、こちらで予約か受付電話番号　0968-82-8414　へご連絡ください。

The Edo-era Shogunate realized an effective system to maintain control over their numerous daimyo (lords) by requiring either close family members or the lord himself in Edo (Tokyo) as a sort of hostage. This was known as "sankin-kōtai" - "alternative attendance" (参勤交代). Generally, every year or so, the family members swapped, so much travel was required, particularly for fiefs far from Edo.
The Hosokawa clan used a purpose-built road to present-day Beppu in Oita Prefecture called the "Bungo Gaidō" (豊後街道), portions of which still exist, and then took a ship. But daimyo didn't travel steerage, so an elaborate type of ship was constructed called a "gozabune" (御座船). These were pretty well decked out (ha ha!). The last of the Hosokawa gozabune was constructed in 1839 and called "Naminashimaru" (波奈之丸", which could be translated as "Wave Shrine Tree Ship". An image of how the flotilla appeared is below (note the Hosokawa crests on the sail, though the prohibition on ocean-going ships meant they were primarily powered by rowers).
Parts of the Naminashimaru remain, including the decorative ceiling. Until the quakes, they had been displayed within the castle but were then dismantled and underwent restoration. The decorative ceiling portion, called tenjō-ga (天井画) - a National Cultural Treasure - has now been fully restored (the interesting method involved no paint application, so the colors are original, and is explained in Japanese at the attached Kumanichi article) and has been put on display at the Daizaifu Museum in Fukuoka until December 1, when it will return to Kumamoto for display at the art museum while it awaits its return to the castle. The tenjō-ga apparently depicts 171 types of plants and flowers. I suppose in pre-karaoke days, they'd play games by gazing up and identifying them. - William
https://this.kiji.is/417818130795627617?c=92619697908483575

According to http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com, we're fairly likely to experience tropical storm winds by Sunday. -- Kirk

Traditional Japanese horseback archery is called "yabusame" （鏑流馬、やぶさめ）. On occasion, one will see it at festivals - it is often held at the castle.
Recovering from the quakes, Aso Shrine is holding its autumn festival, known as "Tanomisai," (田実祭, たのみさい), and for the first time in three years, yabusame was held. Another sign of quake recovery. Kumanichi has a photo. - William
人馬一体、勇壮に　阿蘇神社の流鏑馬、３年ぶり奉納 | 熊本日日新聞 - This kiji is
阿蘇神社の参道で流鏑馬を奉納する同神社流鏑馬射手会のメンバー＝２５日午後、阿蘇市一の宮町（高見伸）　阿蘇市一の宮町の阿蘇神社で２５日、秋の収穫に感謝する「田実祭［たのみさい］」が始まり、熊本地震の影響...

This guy bears watching. It seems to be veering east of our island - but it might change its mind. - William

Suizenji Park is in Chuo-Ku, Kumanichi reminds us somewhat unhelpfully. More helpful was supplying the name of that miniature Fuji there: apparently, it is called a "tsukiyama" 「築山, つきやま」. The quakes had caused its slopes to slide a bit, and during restoration, curious people wondered what it contains, so they conducted an excavation of up to 50cm to determine soil types and sedimentation layers. What they found was a bit surprising: remnants of a cannon base used during the Seinan War in 1877.
The location makes sense. Kumamoto (Higo) was invaded from the south by Kagoshima (Satsuma), and in that floodplain between the two, the tsukiyama was likely the highest point.
On a related note, I attended an historical lecture recently at which an elderly gent spoke. Of course, he wasn't alive during the Seinan war, but his father was. The family fled to Mashiki, and when they returned, they found that the Satsuma army had eaten their dog and had left the dog's neck on a block outside the house as a warning, as was traditional at the time. Since then, he said, his clan has disliked Satsuma. Seeing a living connection to such distant history was impressive. - William
https://kumanichi.com/news/642156/

A flood warning has been issued for the Shirakawa watershed. JMA's radar indicates that the rainfront has moved south of us, but due care should be taken. Info can be found here:
浸水害からあなたやご家族の命を守るための情報「大雨警報（浸水害）の危険度分布」のページです。大雨警報（浸水害）等が発表されたときに、実際にどこで危険度が高まっているのかを地図上で一目で確認することがで...

Our friend Billy Bento posted a lovely silhouette of Mt. Kimpo 「金峰山、きんぽうざん」nestling for the night banked by a beautiful sunset. A few facts regarding the mountain:
- It is 665 meters tall and is topped by communication towers which I told my young son were rockets, and he believed this until he got wise to my pranks;
- Its name literally means "golden ridge" and is named after an eponymous mountain located in Nara prefecture as a Shinto relic was relocated to the shrine that now exists on its summit;
- It is a dormant volcano, part of the Unzen-Aso chain, and might be best considered a mini-Aso - it even has a caldera, on the western edge of which is Reigando 「霊巌洞」、where Musashi supposedly wrote "The Book of Five Rings" (it's worth a visit at least once);
- It last erupted about 150,000 years ago and is considered dormant (but it would be really cool if it erupted again!);
- The famous author Natsume Souseki located his novel "Kusamakura" 「草枕」at the pass between the road from town and the cauldera; the tourist trap there is not worth visiting except for a pleasant stroll;
- There's an excellent onsen with gorgeous views called Kusamakura on the northern side of the mountain, evidence of continued volcanic activity
- Young people in love frequently bring locks which they attach to the summit viewing platform, from which one can see Amakusa, the Shimabara peninsula, and the city itself (for newcomers, the view is an good way to orientate oneself);
- The mountain is famous for fruit production, and now is the harvest season. I strongly recommend http://www.yuuhouen.com/ , where you can pick your own fruit and eat their self-raised free-range chicken. Other spots also exist.
More exists about this wonderful mountain. It's closer to the city than Aso, and there are few visitors - and now is the best time to visit. - William

Hi all,
I know it's been a long time since I've had a chance to post, but a friend shared this article and I was so excited that I had to share it with all of you, too!
According to the article, Kumamoto Castle will have a special open period about a year from now, in October of 2019. The article lists the open dates as October 5th to October 14th. Visitors will be able to walk around a bit inside for the first time since the earthquake.
This past spring I visited Kumamoto after having been away for almost five years. It broke my heart to see the damage to the castle, but I was also reminded of the resilience of the people of Kumamoto, and how everyone works together to support the city in times of need. I'm so happy that the repairs are progressing well, and that an open day like this is possible!
-Grace
熊本城、来年10月特別公開　地震後３年半ぶり | 熊本日日新聞 - This kiji is
復旧工事が進む熊本城天守閣。２０１９年秋には大天守の外観工事が終了見込みという＝８月２９日（上杉勇太）　熊本市は１８日、熊本地震後立ち入り規制が続いている熊本城を、ラグビーワールドカップ（Ｗ杯）の開催...

Yesterday, we had discussed spider lilies 「彼岸花、ヒガンバナ」, and coincidentally, the Kumanichi posted an article today regarding an excellent viewing site in Yamaga. Japan is fond of this "Best 100" encompassing so many genre that you can be sure that, wherever you live, something near you will rank somewhere in some category. It turns out that Yamaga has terraced paddies ranking in the Best 100.
Specifically, it is a village of 131 people in 50 households called Bansyochiku 「番所地区、ばんしょちく」. I haven't found the name etymology, but 「番」refers to a feudal domain, so perhaps the village traces its roots to mountain samurai, those who mainly farmed but retained the equipment and skills to fight if the lord called (my wife's paternal line were such), which would make sense, considering its location at the edge of the Higo fief. Apparently, the village has 200 terraces constructed during the Meiji era spread over 10 hectares. Peak viewing season is expected this weekend. More information can be found at the link. - William
棚田に秋の彩り　山鹿市でヒガンバナ見頃 | 熊本日日新聞 - This kiji is
見頃を迎えた番所の棚田のヒガンバナ＝山鹿市　２０日の彼岸の入りを前に、「日本の棚田百選」の一つ、山鹿市菊鹿町の番所地区でヒガンバナが見頃を迎えている。色づき始めた棚田の周囲に紅の花が咲き誇り、訪れる人...

The Amaryllidaceae, more commonly known as the "spider lily," is in Japanese known as the "higanbana" 「彼岸花」. They flower in a beautiful crimson, but do not bring them in your house. I will tell you why.
Higan is a Buddhist ceremony celebrated twice, at the spring and autumn equinoxes. Its etymology derives from "the far shore of the Sanzu River" 「三途の川」, similar to the River Styx, which separates this life from the afterlife in Buddhist tradition. Higanbana often bloom near cemeteries around the autumnal equinox and thus are described in Japanese translations of the Lotus Sutra as ominous flowers that grow in Jigoku (「地獄」, hell) to guide the dead into the next reincarnation. That's why you don't want to keep them in your house - and never, ever offer them as a gift.
Their bulb and root systems are extensive, which is why they are often planted to stabilize aze dikes protecting rice paddies. This is also due to a unique feature: they flower before their leaves appear, which generally happens after the harvest. Their roots are also toxic to moles. If you have a camera, head out to the countryside for a splash of gorgeous autumn scarlet. Below is a photo of higanbana blooming on aze dikes in Yabe, and some growing amongst the graves on Hanaokayama. - William
Post Script: Our friend Suzanne Hayasaki has run the second photo through some kind of photoy thing whose secrets are withheld from people my age (both photos were simply nabbed from the Web, BTW) and has delivered this gorgeous Piccasscoesque rendition.

Hi Joe Tomei here. This was posted to the site, and I thought I would elevate it. Please contact the person listed at the bottom. Thanks
======
Magic English School in Shinmachi is looking for a native speaker for kids and adult lessons on Saturdays (9am- 6:30pm).
Experience teaching kids and adults, as well as with teaching Eiken, TOEIC etc an advantage.
For more details, please contact Barry on
096-221-3479 or email
[email protected].

Sometimes trees choose to grow on a wall. Despite having been repeatedly asked, the trees have not elucidated their reasoning. Maybe it's just fun. (More likely, it's that birds stash seeds in the crevices between rocks and forget them because birds are stupid.) Two good places to observe this phenomenon are the castle walls south of Gebabashi and the northern bank along Shirakawa between Meigobashi and Taikobashi (which was left as is during restoration precisely to preserve the trees). Our friend Shiiba Michiko has provided a photograph of the former location. - William

Hello, manga bibliophiles! I was asked by Mr. Itoh of the International Center to share this information. They seem to be looking for non-Japanese to make short presentations about their favorite manga (language not specified but I assume, since the announcement is in English, that English is OK). I'm rather late to share it but I hope there's still time. -- Kirk
----------------------
【Manga Bibliobattle - currently recruiting presenters】
Bibliobattle a social book review game which was developed in the Graduate School of Informatics at Kyoto University in Japan.
You presenter can bring your favorite book to the event and talk about the book to the audience for 5 minutes.
The most popular book will be elected as the "Champion Book of the Day" by the audience.
If you like to join the even as a presenter, please tell the staff in Shintoshin Plaza library.
Date: 24th Sep 15:30-16:30
Place: Kumamoto Shintoshin Plaza
Contact
　TEL: 096-355-7401, Mail: [email protected]

Shirakawa and Midorikawa are quite different; the former, with no tributaries, jets to the sea within concrete banks, while the latter has several tributaries and a large marshland and estuary that has long harbored boats. This has led to a problem of those illegally abandoned, which Kumanichi estimates as about 300, some wooden, some fiberglass, and even a few steel, one of which has been surrounded by an oil fence at the town's expense.
With rainfall increasing, worries are that these debris can cause serious damage to dikes and bridges during times of flood and also present danger to ships if swept out to Ariake Sea. This Kumanichi article has two good photographs and an interesting map showing the extent of the problem (red lines indicate areas with abandoned boats). The government is working to identify those responsible when possible and countermeasures when not. - William
流出や衝突の恐れも　緑川水系に放置船３００隻 - 熊本日日新聞
約２０年にわたって加勢川に放置されている鋼鉄製の船。船体の半分以上は水面下に沈んでいる。後方は九州新幹線の高架＝熊本市南区緑川水系で不法投棄状態になっている船（国土交通省熊本国道河川事務所提供）　熊本...

We discussed the etymology of the Uto peninsula town Shiranui 「不知火」 recently - if you missed it, scroll down. Our friend Toyama Yoshiko visited their annual fireworks festival on September tenth and captured this captivating photograph. Note how the fireworks reflection passes precisely under the torii - that would be 不知火. For you photographers, I'll try to remember to give you a heads-up before the event occurs again next year. - William

Dear Kuma-i members
Apologies for the personal crossposting, but in one month, the local orchestra I play with ("The Sinfonietta"), will be having their annual concert.
http://www.the-sinfonietta.org/
All the members (including me) have a quota of tickets to sell, so I would be very happy if anyone interested in attending would contact me. Also, if you play an orchestral instrument (especially a stringed instrument like violin or viola) and would like to join the orchestra, feel free to contact me and I will introduce you.