Kumamoto International Archive

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

William A bit of news for us train geeks. JR Kyushu is holding a "Kumamoto Railway Festival," where all railway operators with routes in Kumamoto Prefecture gather to sell goods and railway equipment, this weekend at Amu Hiroba in front of JR Kumamoto Station. It will end Sunday, so be like JR and don't delay.
Also, from the 22nd (today), Kumamoto Electric Railway will start operating a "Halloween train" with Halloween decorations (see photo). This is the first of several projects to encourage ridership, which had declined due to the corona virus. Which car it is was not specified; perhaps you'll just have to wait at a tram stop until it comes by. The theme car will run until November 6.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/831506
https://kumanichi.com/articles/831544

Kirk here with a share from Kuma Visit:
"Regarding Musashi's Book of Five Rings, an interesting fact is that Musashi himself didn’t intend his teachings to be secret even though it was passed down only through the school of Terao Magonojo."
https://www.facebook.com/kumavisit/posts/pfbid02381GoTQ4mSLY83KqUxzkMda2HFKG1myx37pPEad3uf6zSCYVEYXjcs1TBhrLig6fl?xts[0]=68.ARAsvYcj7gAEGMGpPQMcxo6TVl-DNg6oDPoh2Y5jm3E_5zcrowaF4bwV-fcJ3OcHfxu7GHs4HsfSKiBnmbM26B5g2GWY-LlfARF--chtP29b7tkAZtByCuU-5qCv3f0Y3izJuJUfnCdfg3jGrOEBjjDx6WM8nmnpYfAhB98wnpPlX3gI4KDVgb7Yxul0x-CD5EVYbRNhcLxbp8sn3WdCRKdsuJabpRRtmqj5QR4bnwzYapzHQk1IaKY8GMD7nuvlsYuciGYcza5Ecffwo_PVA8OSXxcOTJT48amQZhLkTOhbr9Vw202B6xM

William Sunglasses are a must for me: not only are my blue eyes susceptible to Japan's strong glare, but hiding behind them gives me a sense of comfort when out and about.
Kumanichi reports that the Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau is piloting a two-week trial allowing tram drivers to wear a designated type of sunglasses while the bureau conducts a survey on passenger impressions. To date, sunglasses have been banned as they have been considered intimidating. However, drivers have pointed out safety issues such as not being able to detect signal lights due to glare and have indicated they will reduce any sense of intimidation by being extra-friendly.
JR West has allowed drivers to wear sunglasses since 2019. Perhaps Biden, famous for his aviation sunglasses, could get a job as a tram driver after he retires from his current gig.
Photos: shades-wearing tram driver and Biden
https://kumanichi.com/articles/829366

Ruth here calling all early birds to join in these events on the morning of Sat., 29th OCT!! BAZAAR & KID'S SWAP SHOP EVENT @ SUNATORI COMMUNITY CENTER - SAT. 29th OCTBehind 市立体育館・🔍
Do you have unwanted items to sell? 🛍 Want to earn some dosh?
Do you like to browse for a bargain? 👦👧 Want your kids to declutter? Small household items, toys, books, nicknacks, clothing, plants, handmade crafts... Give your items another life! ♻️
◎Swap Shop・親子・小学生向けの交換イベント is from 9:10-10am・要予約・RSVP by 27th OCT: [email protected]
◎個人バザー is from 10:30am-12pm - Walk-ins OK!! 100円 entry.
If you want to secure a sales spot it's just 300円 - email and pay in advance: [email protected] by 27th Oct 📨
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
不要な服やアクセサリー、中古品、小物があれば、バザーと交換イベントに参加しませんか？If you have any unwanted clothing, accessories, or small household items, join us at the KIDS SWAP SHOP from 9am or the Bazaar from 10:30am. Buy, swap and network with local people who are passionate about sustainability.　
SWAP SHOPイベントは、環境問題に取り組み、不要な中古品(おもちゃ、本、洋服など)と使用済みのアイテムなどを渡すことができるコミュニティを作りましょう ♻️ Kids... Let's declutter and participate activity in circular economy!
Sign up for the Bazaar and you may even earn a quick buck, too!! Let's create a community where we can pass along our unwanted or preloved items. スワップや物々交換を希望される方は、ぜひご参加ください。でも、もちろん、出品もしていただけると嬉しいです。
See you there! Ruth Maruki Kai

Kirk here sharing an event from Sean Benward. Sean mentions that the fee is a donation. I would like to add that the Japanese text says that all of the funds collected will be donated to the YMCA. The poster is in Japanese but Sean has provided a detailed explanation in English so please scroll down for that.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/8042558569150838

William I once had a gig teaching at the Japanese Self Defense Forces (SDF = Jieitai 自衛隊), mostly at their Kengun base but for a short time at their Kitachutonchi camp on the northern side of Tatsudayama. From my reading, I immediately recognized it as Camp Wood, as the Americans called it while occupying Kumamoto after WWII.
News of that time is sparse, but I came across a first-hand account of an American soldier stationed there:
Jim reflected on the Japanese population of Kumamoto saying, “It was sad, they had it tough. They were starving and some committed suicide, mostly women. They were eating out of our trash cans.” He says, “The Japanese soldiers were returning home in their old dirty uniforms to a country in ruins. There were no jobs, so they worked in the rice fields.” He says, “I was there a year and never saw a car."
The full post can be read here: https://www.honorflightchicago.org/10859-2/

William An aspect of Kumamoto horticulture I appreciate is its seasonal variations. Winter blooms the camellia (tsubaki, 椿) - as insects are hibernating, they spread their flowers wide to allow birds to drink their nectar and thus are pollinated by avians; spring of course is cherry blossoms (sakura, 桜 - the bees are awake by then); hydrangea (ajisai, 紫陽花) symbolize rainy season; summer sees the higotai (globe thistle), a symbol of Kumamoto (very rare; if you're lucky, you can spot it in the highlands around Aso) and lotus (hasunohana, 蓮の花), which can be found aplenty in the marginal land near Ariake Sea, where it is cultivated for its root, a Kumamoto delicacy. The gentian (rindō, リンドウ), the Kumamoto Prefecture flower, blooms in autumn.
But if you step outside now and encounter a pervasive bubble gum-esque fragrance, that would be osmanthus (kinmokusei, 金木犀). Often planted in parks, their tiny flowers, either orange or white, pack quite an olfactory punch. Enjoy the fragrance, and keep an eye out for them.
Photos: orange and white kinmokusei; higotai (twice; that's how much I like them).

Kirk here with what I think may be my third post on this topic. I should point out that the problem occurred in Fukuoka but the women is receiving support from people in Kumamoto. Go Kumamoto!
Filipino trainee in Japan forced to quit over pregnancy says treatment unforgivable - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- A Filipino trainee who filed a lawsuit against her employer and others, claiming that she was unfairly forced to quit her job because she

Hi Atsuko here.
Chuck should share, but he hasn't yet, so instead I will introduce you to a lovely lady with a beautiful heart.ଘ(੭ˊ꒳ˋ)੭✧
Translation page I used:
http://itools.com/tool/google-translate-web-page-translator
https://kumanichi-com.translate.goog/articles/820513?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&_x_tr_sl=auto&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en#Echobox=1665726496
Original Japanese page
https://www.facebook.com/438505469570144/posts/5503206686433305/?sfnsn=mo
毎朝ごみ拾い、YＯＵは何者？　5種類の分別袋にマジックハンド　英語講師のウオーターマンさん　「生徒が掃除」するＪＡＰＡＮに驚き｜熊本日日新聞社
　熊本市内で毎朝「自転車に袋を積んだ外国人女性がマジックハンドを使い、雨の日も風の日もごみ拾いをしています」との情報が、同市の70代男性から「SNSこちら編集局」（S編）に寄せられた。周囲の注目を集めるこの女...

William Kirk had written about Takachiho Gorge. Another similar gorge exists in Yabe. I'd like to write about what is one of the best autumn road trips in Kumamoto.
Most are probably familiar with Gorougataki (五郎ヶ滝). A few years ago, a suspension bridge (Gorougataki Tsuribashi, 五老ヶ滝吊り橋) https://tinyurl.com/bdvpadhk was built for viewing. Info and photos available here: https://8246renraku.net/archives/gorougataki.html
Most might not be aware of the path following the river below the falls. It wanders along just above the water through a steep gorge for a few hundred meters, crossing from the right bank to the left, https://snaplace.jp/gorougataki/ then up a steep flight of stairs to some beautiful rice paddies. Continuing on a farm road, it eventually leads back to Tsujin Bridge (通潤橋, Tsujinkyo).
The route takes about an hour depending on how long you tarry for photography. Autumn is the best time for this. To get back to Kumamoto, take the Minamida Naidaijin-sen (南田内大臣線 https://pixta.jp/photo/25748390), a tiny road that loops south through a narrow valley with several comically tiny tunnels before plunging down a series of a dozen hairpins to meet up with Midorikawa. Very few people take that route, so one can drive leisurely, admiring the golden paddies.
After crossing Midorikawa, one will immediately notice huge tubes descending the impossibly steep cliffs forming the narrow gorge you're now in - those feed a Chiso Corp. hydroelectric power station. Just past the station is a small parking lot of the ayu (trout) restaurant, Heikenoyu (平家の湯, https://kimukazu.me/archives/3576), whose onsen is pathetic but ayunoshioyaki (鮎の塩焼き, salted trout grilled over charcoal) is the best in Kumamoto.
After lunch, continue following the small road through some delightful autumn scenery; it eventually merges with the main road, Route 335. This will take you over Reidaikyo (霊台橋, another famous stone bridge https://tinyurl.com/43abh5p2) past the onsen, Samatanoyu (佐俣の湯 https://samatanoyu-misato.jp/) THIS is where you want to take an onsen - they have a wonderful rōtenburo. From there, it is about 45 minutes along Midorikawa until you are back in the city, near Ezuko.
The entire trip takes a full day. If you leave early, you'll finish your short hike and be at the restaurant by lunch and home by late afternoon. Now - autumn - is the time to do it. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to post them.

Kirk here with a share from Explore Kumamoto about Takachiho Gorge:
https://www.facebook.com/explorekumamoto/posts/pfbid02jBGMCoRcM9vSUDviAQ7RieZ9HUsQeKEv5qDXwtdwDGdGsLnCib4SRECku1DHxral

Kirk here. Just after William shared the Kumanichi's report about the fireworks display in Yatsushiro, I saw this on RKK. In addition to old-fashioned fireworks (the kind you light with a match) they have new-fangled displays made up of large numbers of remotely controlled drones. This dragon slowly opens his mouth in the video. Maybe next year they'll have one that actually breaths fire! (Flame-throwing drone or drone-launched fireworks?)
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/180684?display=1

William Fireworks were invented in Asia, first to scare the pants off opponents in battle, and then to warn off demons. Apparently, there is something called the "All-Japan Fireworks Competition," recently held for the first time in three years. Thirty groups from all over Japan competed in three divisions: the No. 10 ball, which blooms with a diameter of about 300 meters; the No. 5 ball, which is about 150 meters; and the Star Mine, which launches 250 shots in a row. Woof. That'll scare the pants off the ghosts.
Yatsushiro took part.
Kumanichi reports that, in between the bursts, there was music fireworks to the music of the movie "Top Gun" and star mines to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the construction of Yatsushiro Castle. Good on Yatsushiro. No word on which place they were judged.
Photos and Kumanichi link follow.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/824371

Douglas here with a follow up to the translation mix that Kirk started a few posts below.
I have always been surprised by the number of people who cannot distinguish between translating and interpreting.
Google Translate and DeepL are both "translators" and can end up by producing quite strange English translations of Japanese.
I have a favourite Japanese idiom that I feed into any "translation" software to test its ability to actually interpret correctly. Both Google and DeepL fail my test. But DeepL, at least, gives a more accurate "translation"
The idiom is:
捕らぬ狸の皮算用をするのは危ないです
Google translate gives: It's dangerous to use a raccoon dog that can't be caught
and DeepL gives: It is dangerous to take advantage of a raccoon's skin that has not been caught.
The correct interpretation of the Japanese idiom is: Don't count your chickens until they are hatched!

Kirk here with information for water polo fans. I sometimes search Google News for "Kumamoto" to see if there's any juicy information to feed this page's voracious appetite for information about this part of the world. Today, I learned that FINA (Fédération Internationale de Natation) is planning a major water polo event between August 5 and 11 of next year (2023) at Kumamoto's Aquadome. I'm not sure if this event will be open to spectators but it might be interesting to watch if it is.
https://swimswam.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/WMCH_KYUSHU-1-.pdf
https://swimswam.com/fina-releases-schedule-for-2022-world-masters-championships-in-japan/
Note: Picture is a generic water polo image from FINA website.

Kirk here with a little report on a multilayered instance of "lost in translation." I laughed when I noticed the English on this sign because I could see immediately that the Japanese was referring to the danger of PEOPLE falling from the window but the translation (probably from DeepL or some other machine translation service) makes it sound like the danger is that the window may fall. I guess the editor of the popular Facebook group about English mistakes who rejected my post understands Japanese about as well as DeepL.

William Kumamoto Castle is known as "Ginkgo Castle" (銀杏城, ginnanjō) due to its large number ginkgo trees, which has become a symbol not just of the castle but of the city itself. Now is the season when they turn a stunning golden-yellow. Another good place to view ginkgo is the entrance to Prefectural Hall.
Katō Kiyomasa apparently planted the trees inside the castle to provide food for horses and firewood in case of siege.
Legend has it that one immense tree in front of the main keep (tenshukaku, 天守閣) was planted by Katō himself, and that he prophesied, "When the tree's height reaches that of the tenshukaku, there will be an uprising in the castle." Apparently, the height of the tree had indeed reached about that of the tenshukaku by 1878, when most of the castle was burned to the ground in the Seinan War.
The tree was badly damaged during the war, but has regrown to a respectable height.
Info about the relationship between Kumamoto Castle and the gingko trees can be found here (Japanese): http://castle.link-hp.net/22.html and a link to an excellent castle guide: https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/en/ (English). A photo of the famous gingko in the autumn is below. Prepare your cameras.

Kirk here with another article about the Filipino technical intern who is suing her employer. The image is of a protest in Tokyo regarding the abuse of so-called "ginou jisshuusei" (技能実習生; trainees).
Filipino trainee in Japan to seek damages for 'maternity harassment'
The law on equal opportunity employment for men and women prohibits unfair treatment on the basis of an individual giving birth or becoming pregnant.

Kirk here. "The law on equal opportunity employment for men and women, which also applies to foreign technical trainees, prohibits unfair treatment on the basis of an individual giving birth or becoming pregnant." But, this would seem to be another instance of that law being ignored.
Filipino trainee in Japan to seek damages for 'maternity harassment' - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO (Kyodo) -- A Filipino technical intern in southwestern Japan will sue her employer and an intermediary body for around 5.7 million yen ($39,0

William Kumanichi reports on the education of children who will accompany Taiwanese workers to TSMC.
As about 300 family members of TSMC employees transferred from Taiwan will move to Kumamoto, of which half are school-aged children. In response, the Kumamoto International School (KIS) in Higashi Ward has applied for the status of "miscellaneous educational institution" (kakushugakko, 各種学校; perhaps the closest translation would be "vocational school," but I'm guessing KIS is looking for the designation in order to receive flexibility for its curriculum). This designation also allows KIS to operate school buses. Kumanichi writes that two-thirds of these have expressed interest in KIS. If all are accepted, this would encompass two thirds of KIS' student body.
Some families have expressed a desire to send their children to a normal Japanese school. Kikuyo Town is now looking into expanding English education. However, the vast majority remain interested in KIS. Principal Matthew Orme said, "Many of the families were enthusiastic about English education, so they must have felt a sense of security."
Finally, Kumamoto has a true international school of its own, at least through JHS.
Links to KIS and the Kumanichi article:
https://kumamotointer.jp/
https://kumanichi.com/articles/821894