Kumamoto International Archive

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

Atsuko here, this is an announcement for a support request for Ishikawa from Kumamoto.
I will leave the relief supplies for Ishikawa with my fellow volunteers.
The team to be supported is Bonjas. They are the team that helped us in the Kumamoto earthquake by serving food at various evacuation centers and temporary housing. This team and the team that worked with us at Akitsu temporary housing will be taking the relief supplies to Bonjus in Ishikawa.
They need towels, bath towels, shampoo, underwear, toothbrushes, shoes, socks, boots, vacuum-packed bacon, ham, water, etc.
I'll leave fresh vegetables from a mini-tomato farmer and an eggplant farmer I know. I will also leave some rice from my parents' house.
Tomorrow Friday I will go to the Palestine Seminar at Kumadai, and 22th evening at 6:30 I will hand over the relief supplies to the team at Karikusa Park in Karikusa, Minami-ku.
If you are interested in supporting the Ishikawa Noto Earthquake, we are waiting for you. Some items cannot be brought, so please indicate in the comments section if you have items you would like to support. If you can't fit in the truck, there will be another next flight. Please direct your donation to the team you are working with.
19, January, 6pm to 8pm @ Kumamoto university
l'll be there.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=763244515837342&id=100064554018003
22, January, Karikusa Park 6:30pm.
Please contact us in the comments( ˊᵕˋ🙏🏻 )
https://www.facebook.com/NpoBondandjustice
https://www.facebook.com/kyusyu.s.f.s.l

Kirk here. I think it's cool that an article about an new development in AI starts with a Kumamoto dateline.
Nikon develops AI system that can detect cows are about to give birth
Nikon has developed a system that uses AI to alert farmers if a cow is about to give birth, analyzing their movements with cameras installed on farms.

Kirk here. The high tech investment news just keeps coming.
Fujifilm to Invest 6 Billion Yen in its Kumamoto Site for New Advanced Semiconductor Materials Production Facility | Fujifilm [United States]
Reinforces production capacity of color filter materials for image sensors, further expanding the Electronic Materials business

Kirk here with a job offer.
--- start quote ---
Hilltop International School (English kindergarten), located in the Tatsuda area of Kumamoto City, is looking for a full-time teacher to join our staff from March or by the first week of April 2024. (The earlier the better.)

Position: Head classroom teacher of 2–3-year-olds. (You will have three licensed Japanese nursery school teachers in the classroom with you.)

Responsibilities: Conduct classes using our curriculum. Play with students outside. Interact with all Hilltop students in English. Other responsibilities will be discussed at the interview.

Work Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. However, some days may have slightly longer or shorter hours.

Additional Work: Teach roughly 2 or 3 eikaiwa classes per week.

Requirements: Native English speaker, living in Japan, minimum one year experience, four-year degree, driver’s license and car or scooter.

Contract: Multi-year renewable contract (Visa sponsorship if needed)

Vacation: 5 weeks paid vacation plus all national holidays.

Salary: 270,000-290,000 yen/month

Apply by email with resume, cover letter and photo. Send to Marty Tomao at [email protected] or [email protected]

Our website is https://hilltop-is.com

Instagram: hilltop international school
--- end quote ---

William　Once was a time that the only way to travel to Kagoshima to Kumamoto was via the coast. With the advent of the expressway, though, the route has turned into a seldom-used backwater with its chain of small towns withering. Yet this adds to its charm, particularly if you have a few days and a tent (all you need can be purchased at a single outing to Hirose - avoid those expensive "trekking" shops) . Even a map is not required, though a bit of advanced research on onsen locations is recommended to plan overnight stays. Remember, you can camp anywhere as long as you leave your site as you found it.
Gaijinpot has an article on the phenomenon of cranes gathering from Siberia in the wintered rice paddies of Izumi. Farmers leave gleanings of rice and the birds plenty of guano, so it's a win-win. Best is to plan three or four days for a leisurely drive with plenty of unscheduled stops. The article contains links to other wonderful, woefully overlooked sites in the area.
https://travel.gaijinpot.com/izumi-crane-observation-center/

Kirk here with some news: "Twelve people from Jikei Hospital in Kumamoto City arrived in Ishikawa on Thursday with foodstuff for about 300 people."
This is the Jikei Hospital that has led Japan in it's efforts to prevent tragic cases of infant abandonment by providing alternatives to young women. Wow!
Kumamoto hospital staff serve hot meals to counterparts in quake-hit city | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Hospital staff who experienced major earthquakes eight years ago in Japan's southwestern prefecture of Kumamoto have volunteered to help provide hot meals to their counterparts in a quake-hit city on the Noto Peninsula.

William Kumanichi reports on an interesting new transportation mode to be introduced in the Kami/Shimotori areas. This is a pilot program intended to identify problems which must be rectified if/when more widespread rollout can be conducted. Perhaps it is another tool in the box sagging shopping streets would have against their shopping megacenter rivals. Google Translate is as follows.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1290663
Starting on the 13th, Kumamoto City will begin a two-month demonstration experiment of ``Green Slow Mobility (GRISLO),'' a transportation service that utilizes small electric vehicles that run at low speeds, in the Kamitori area. The aim is to improve the ease of getting around the city center and encourage the use of public transportation. Demonstration tests are also planned for the Shimotori/Shinshigai area from mid-March to mid-May.
Grislo is an environmentally friendly vehicle that does not emit carbon dioxide (CO2) and travels at speeds of less than 20 km/h. It will also help support the mobility of elderly people who have difficulty walking long distances.
　One of two cars, one for 4 people and one for 6 people, will be operated alternately. In principle, you can get on and off the train as you like, but to ensure safety, you cannot get on and off the train at National Route 3, the Kumamoto Tamana Line, or other high-traffic locations such as intersections. Advance reservations are not required and the fare is 100 yen per ride.
There are two stops: the Fujisaki Miyamae Station bus stop and the north side of Hotel Nikko Kumamoto, connecting the 2.5 km round trip route that passes through Uenoura Street and Namikizaka in 15 minutes each way. The buses run every 30 minutes, with the first bus departing at 9 a.m., the last bus departing from Fujisaki Miyamae Station at 4:30 p.m., and Hotel Nikko Kumamoto Kitagai at 4:45 p.m.
The city hopes to attract Kumamoto Electric Railway passengers as well, and says, ``We would like them to use it as a means of transportation to the city center,'' said the City's Transportation Promotion Division. During this period, we will also run a campaign where you can ride for free by presenting a one-day pass issued by a prefecture bus operator or city transportation bureau.
Operation has been outsourced to a taxi company that has been conducting its own Grislot test since March last year in the area east of Kamikumamoto Station. The project cost is approximately 5.9 million yen, including the entire Shimodori/Shinshigai area.

William Why camellia (椿 - tsubaki, literally, "spring tree" and also a common family name) bloom at this time of year when pollenating insects are hibernating was a mystery to me 'til I learned that they're pollenated by birds. That explains their splayed-open appearance and commodious pollen and nectar.
A similar blossom is the sazanka (山茶花, known by that name in English), whose kanji - "mountain tea flower" - reveals that they are relatives of tea. Even today, some still steep dried camellia or sazanka leaves in hot water for a type of poor-man's tea.
Asahi has an illuminating article on the two. One point new to me: The sazanka tends to drop its petals one by one, while tsubaki flowers come off whole; thus, "some people in the past were said to disdain the flower because the manner in which the blossoms dropped to the ground reminded them of decapitations by feudal samurai warriors." Eww.
After being pummeled by Satsuma cannons in the Seinan War, the "maru" of the castle were left empty - the most famous being Ninomaru. A staircase from there, to the left of the museum, leads to a footbridge crossing to the stadium. At the foot of the bridge on the left is a small maru once occupied by a shrine (宮内神社、みやうちじんじゃ) which has been converted to a bird sanctuary, designed with trees to feed birds year-round. That it is filled with a contemplative (or eerie) silence is that no one visits. It is a marvelous place to view tsubaki and sazanka and ponder in solitude, and now is the time.
https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/13039293
Info about the park:
http://tinyurl.com/262esk9c

Kirk here. The other day I posted about the Crossroad Cafe in Amakusa (I'll link to that post in a comment). Since then, I've found a copy of the article and used ChatGPT to translate it into English:
--- start translation ---
Connecting with Foreigners: A Hub of Interaction
A civic group in the Amakusa area, "World Friends Amakusa," dedicated to supporting the lives of foreign residents, has opened a café in Suwa Town, Amakusa City, to serve as a place of interaction. The café aims to be a hub where Japanese and foreigners acknowledge and connect through diversity. It was introduced to the local residents in late December last year.
According to the city, as of the end of November 2023, there are 479 foreigners living in the city. This marks a 39% increase since the end of March 2021, as the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. Many of these residents are from Vietnam, Myanmar, and Indonesia.
World Friends Amakusa reports that many of the residents are technical intern trainees, who often find themselves isolated due to their limited interaction with the community and difficulty understanding the Amakusa dialect. "A place where Japanese and foreigners can get to know each other and expand the circle of mutual assistance is necessary," led to the establishment of the café.
The café, named "Crossroad Cafe," was set up in a warehouse dating back to the 1950s, incorporating local timber for the ceiling. The name reflects the desire to be a place where people, regardless of nationality or culture, intersect. It started operations in October and is currently run by a total of 10 staff members, including those with foreign roots. In addition to beverages, the café offers sandwiches and Taiwanese Lu Rou Fan, among other dishes.
Adjacent to the café is a consultation center targeting inbound tourists, which was showcased in a ceremony on December 21, coinciding with the completion of the center's construction. During the opening event, the staff prepared sweet red-bean soup, and many locals visited and enjoyed the interaction. The café shares information on Instagram and plans to organize events to learn about the cultures of the countries of origin of Amakusa's foreign residents. Tomoko Matano, the president of the group (aged 54), commented, "I hope this helps people living in the same area to spend time together with kindness." The café is open from 11:30 AM to 5:00 PM and is closed on weekends and public holidays. (Written by Saaya Shimizu)
--- end translation ---

Kirk here with news that you don't need to be able to speak Japanese to call 110. Here's a ChatGPT translation of the article:
--- start translation ---
"Call 110 Even If You Don't Understand Japanese": International Students Experience Reporting Through an Interpreter-Assisted Three-Way Call
January 10, 2024 (Wednesday) 19:20
Domestic News
On "110 Day," international students learned how to make emergency calls.
In Kumamoto Prefecture, the number of emergency calls from non-Japanese speakers has sharply increased compared to the previous year, with 89 cases reported by the end of November last year (89 cases last year, 3 cases the year before).
In response, the prefectural police held a training session on 110 emergency calls targeting foreigners.
The participating international students experienced making 110 emergency calls through a three-way call with an interpreter.
An international student who participated said, "I thought it would take time because an interpreter was involved, but it was easy to use because the interpretation was clear."
The prefectural police are urging, "Even if you don't understand Japanese, please feel free to call 110 if you encounter an incident or accident."
--- end translation ---
By the way, you can view the TV report (video) on the linked page.
『日本語が分からなくても110番して』留学生たちが“通訳を介した三者通話”で通報を体験 | 熊本のニュース｜RKK熊本放送
「110番の日」に合わせ留学生たちが通報の仕方を学びました。熊本県内では、日本語を話せない外国人からの通報が、去年は11月末までに89件と、前の年に比べ急激に増加しています。（去年89件、おととし3件）そこで…

Kirk here. The latest version of the YOKA is out. The publication is primarily for JETs and former JETs but is published on the web for all to read and enjoy.
Here's a portion of the e-mail I received:
--- start quote ---
This issue of the YOKA features...
The Year So Far - KUMAJET
JET Spotlight - Sheena Moore
Artist Statement - Lauren Chidel
Kumamoto Boardgames Club - Julie Waterman
"Carefully Constructed Nest" - Beatrice Thorstensen
Top 10 Albums of 2023 - Matthew Trecek
Photos Exhibition - Austin Fontenot, Beatrice Thorstensen & Cricket Lee
"Midday in Toyo Town" - Jesse Norman
International Recipes - Iona Fleming & Nthatuoa Mabathoana
KenJETkai Information
This YOKA was Designed by Quinlan Flecther
--- end quote ---
I'm really impressed by Quinlan Flecther's cover. :)
https://www.kumamotojet.com/reiwa/the-yoka/

William Many unfamiliar foods introduced to unsuspecting populaces during the Age of Exploration acquired names of their supposed location of origin, often wildly off the mark (particularly those from the Americas or from along the Silk Road - turkeys are no more native to Turkey [North America, actually - even Turkey is now insisting that it be known as Türkiye - try finding "ü" on your keyboard] than tangerines are to Tangiers [look to China] - the latters were just a more proximate stop along the way).
Such comes the amazing story of the kabocha (南瓜 or カボチャ) - the use of katakana is a giveaway to its foreign origin. According to many researchers, the ancestor of kabocha was brought from North America to Europe, then transmitted to Dutch colonies in SE Asia, from which it was introduced to Japan, and when startled, starving denizens asked, "What's this nutritious, delicious food that can be grown on marginal land?," the answer was, "Dunno, but it came from Cambodia." Which morphed into カボチャ, at least according to many anthropological linguists. Read a short intro here: https://gochisohistory.com/kabocha/ (In my hometown of Los Angeles, "kabocha" are called "kabocha pumpkin" - that was rather a long route from Peru) and look up the he Cambodian–Spanish War [1593-1597]).
Kabocha are in season now. They can be cooked in dozens of ways - heck, make your own up! (I recently roasted one in my oven until soft, then fried it with plain oil - any flavored oil will ruin its delicate taste - until crunchy. Worked out better than I could have imagined.) They are cheap and healthy. And they are grown locally. Bon appétit!
Kabocha: Japanese Pumpkins and Squashes - Gochiso History
The Japanese pumpkin, or kabocha, has been a staple of Japanese cuisine for centuries. We will take a look at its origins and history.

William with a message from reader Greg Howes:
Freedom English School, located in Kumamoto City, is seeking an English teacher for a full-time position starting late March / early April. Currently with branches in Kamitori and Suizenji, we will be opening a third branch from April this year. Applicants should be comfortable teaching children of all ages, ranging from kindergarten age through to Junior High School students. Experience is preferred, but not essential for the correct candidate. Pre-employment and on-the-job training will be provided. We offer a competitive financial package - details of which will be provided on request - and an excellent working environment. If you are interested in joining our growing teaching team and would like to find out more information, please contact Greg Howes at [email protected] or 096-322-7100.

Kirk here with a message about an opportunity to view an important film. The message is from Joshua Rickard, who teaches at Kumamoto University:
--- start quote ---
On Friday January 19th we will hold a Film Screening of the award wining documentary Imprisoning a Generation. The screening will be followed by a discussion with the director and producer Zelda Edmunds. The film will be shown with Japanese subtitles and discussion will be held in English.
Friday January 19th, Doors open 18:00. Film Screening/ Seminar 18:30-20:00
Location: Center for International Education Lounge. Kumamoto University
Admission is free, no registration required.
Imprisoning a Generation is an award-winning documentary which follows the stories of four young Palestinians who have been detained and imprisoned by the Israeli military detention system. The children’s experiences, along with the voices of their families, form a lens into the complicated structures of oppression that go beyond the prison walls.
--- end quote ---
Imprisoning a Generation — Anemoia Projects
A documentary film following the stories of four young Palestinians who have been detained and imprisoned under the Israeli military and political systems. Their perspectives, along with the voices of their families, form a lens into the entangled structures of oppression that expand well beyond the

William The Asahi provides a heart-stopping and heartwarming video of a man rescuing his elderly neighbor from an impending tsunami during the recent Noto quake.
Unlike pretty much every other natural disaster imaginable, Kumamoto is not at risk of tsunami unless Unzen collapses again. But the video shows the man calling the old woman by name, proving that they were acquainted.
Message here: Get to know your elderly neighbors. Not only are they repositories of knowledge, but you might someday be counted on to lend a hand in a natural disaster.
Surging tsunami captured by dash cam during narrow escape after Jan. 1 Japan quake - The Mainichi
The moment a tsunami crashing into a residential neighborhood following the New Year's Day earthquake on Japan's Noto Peninsula was captured by a man'

Kirk here. An article was published in the Kumanichi news paper about the opening of Crossroad Cafe in Amakusa. The cafe is run by World Friends Amakusa. Their Facebook page is the second URL listed. The third URL is their website. The fourth URL is their Instagram page, which has the address of Hondo. If you're in the area, you might want to check it out.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1287340
https://www.facebook.com/WFAmakusa/
https://wf-amakusa.com/
https://www.instagram.com/crossxroadxcafe/
外国人とつながる拠点に　天草市で市民グループがカフェ開業　「多様性認め、助け合いの輪を」｜熊本日日新聞社
　天草地域で在住外国人の生活支援などに取り組む市民グループ「ワールドフレンズ天草」が、交流の場となるカフェを天草市諏訪町に開いた。日本人と外国人が多様性を認め合い、つながる拠点を目指す。昨年12月下旬、....

Kirk here. The images you see are made with folded oak leaves. The artist is a local man, Yoshihiro Watanabe, who, according to the article, is autistic.
Kumamoto artist embodies re-evaluation of 'outsider art’ in Japan
Dubbed a 'genius autistic paper cutout artist,' Yoshihiro Watanabe's works are now being alongside those by trained artists.

Kirk here with some sad news about the death of Yashiro Aki. Her stage name was an adaptation of the name of her hometown, Yatsushiro. :(
Aki Yashiro, Enka Singer and Painter, Dies at Age 73; Known for Hit Songs “Funauta” and “Ame no Bojo”
Aki Yashiro, an enka singer and painter known for hit songs such as “Funauta” and “Ame no Bojo,” died on December 30 last year. She was 73.

Kirk here with another story about MATSUNAGA Genrokuro (松永源六郎), who has, for many years, been educating groups of foreigners as well as Japanese about traditional sword-making methods and swordsmanship. In this picture, the woman attempting tameshigiri (the art of target test cutting) is from France. Unfortunately, this article is behind a paywall but I'm glad to see Mr. Matsunaga getting recognition in the media nonetheless. The headline points out that he has been doing this for 40 years now. I have enjoyed visiting him, as I know that many other readers of this page have.
I read in the Asahi Shimbun (to which my wife and I subscribe) that he received the "Prefectural Culture Award" (熊本県民文化賞) in 2007.. Here's a ChatGPT translation of the summary of the award (taken from the Prefecture's website): "a commendation project conducted by the prefecture, aimed at recognizing and encouraging the achievements of those who have contributed to the promotion of the prefecture's culture. This initiative serves to foster cultural activities in various parts of the prefecture, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of the prefecture's culture."
I'll put a link or two to previous posts about Mr. Matsunaga in a comment.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/22/329.html
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/1163859/
熊本・荒尾の刀工房訪日客次々　受け入れ40年　刀匠・松永源六郎さん　「伝統への理解広げたい」 | 西日本新聞me
日本刀の美に海外からも熱視線－。熊本県荒尾市川登の刀匠、松永源六郎さん（75）の鍛冶工房に、インバウンド（訪日客）の見学者が次々に訪れ...日本刀の美に海外からも熱視線－。熊本県荒尾市川登の刀匠、松永源六郎....

William here with a note from "'Sup?" corner. In the runup to Valentine's Day, Daiso is selling bitter chocolate. Intended for baking, it is fabulous as is and the only time of year you'll find my favorite snack available anywhere, and at a bargain price. (Dark chocolate is said to be rich in plant chemicals called flavanols, antioxidants linked to a lower risk of heart disease.)