2017-09-13 18:26 JST 2017 ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 7 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 0 ← 2017-09-13 11:18 JST 2017-09-13 23:56 JST → Around this time … 2017-09-15 12:17 JSTGakuendai Fuzoku Koukou (学園大付属高校) is the high school attached to Kumamoto Gakuen University, where our fearless editor-in-chief, Kirk, who teaches in the Economics Department.The high school is famous for its summer uniform, a crisp light-blue linen-like one-piece with a white sailor collar and sleeve stripes as it is "fresh and cute". The uniform is not only popular among the students; it was recently selected of all female HS uniforms nation-wide as ideal for fictitious productions such as movies and TV shows.A movie playing during the first week of October at Denkikan called "Harahara Nanoka" (はらはらなのか, Aren't You Excited?) prominently features the uniform. The school's alumna club aided production by collecting over 40 uniforms from school graduates for use in the movie. The movie's producer remarked, "The audience has commented favorably on how cute the uniform is." The photo below is from the movie.So there you go: if anyone ever asks you what the cutest uniform in Japan is, you'll have an informed answer.. - William (Disclaimer: My son's girlfriend is a graduate from that school.)学園大付の夏服「かわいい」 映画の衣装に／テレビでも紹介 - 熊本日日新聞 2017-09-15 07:56 JSTAs William has already pointed out, a typhoon is approaching. TropicalStorm.com says that we are very likely to experience tropical storm winds by Sunday. Of course, wind is not the only threat; storm surge and heavy rain can also be dangerous. Take care!-- Kirkhttp://www.tropicalstormrisk.com 2017-09-14 20:47 JSTTyphoon update. While some forecasts show the typhoon passing over Kagoshima, JMA shows Kumamoto in the crosshairs. Either way is bad: the center gets stronger wind but less rain, the outer bands less wind but stronger rain - and typhoons coming from the west drop a lot of rain on the west side of the island.Of greater concern: The typhoon has slowed down. Originally expected to come ashore Saturday morning, that time now appears to be Saturday evening; nighttime typhoons are a bit scary. Furthermore, as it meanders over the warm East China Sea, it is strengthening - from a projected 960 HPa yesterday to 935 HPa today which, in meteorological terms, is friggin' strong. It also appears it will take its time over Kyushu, perhaps a full day. Batten down, get your flashlights and board games out, order your pizza early - this looks to be a biggie. - William 2017-09-14 10:00 JSTFor the past few weeks I've had a nasty cold, and it reminded me of my favorite sinus-clearing Japanese snack—karashi renkon (辛子蓮根)! Karashi renkon, which means “karashi (a type of mustard) lotus root,” is a Kumamoto specialty and has become a popular side dish at local izakaya. I’ve tried it in several varieties, from the traditional style pictured below to little fried nuggets of lotus root with pockets of eye-watering mustard tucked inside. I love the crunch of the lotus root and the sharp kick of mustard. It’s hard not to like the vibrant colors, too!Apparently karashi renkon was first cooked up as a sort of home remedy for the things that ail you. It definitely puts a spring in my step. What are some home remedies from your hometown or childhood? When I had colds as a kid my mum would always make me hot honey, lemon and ginger, and even now that combination of smells still makes me feel at home. I think only wasabi trumps karashi renkon for clearing out your sinuses, though!-Grace 2017-09-13 23:56 JSTThis post is from last year. This year the main event will be held on the 17th (this Sunday). Here's a link to the official schedule (in Japanese):http://fujisakigu.or.jp/reisai/nittei.html======UPDATE======Rescheduled for October 9th due to the typhoon:http://higojournal.com/archives/fuzisakiguuakinoreitaisai-enki.html-- KirkFestival Focus: Fujisaki Hachimangu (Kumamoto) 2017-09-13 18:26 JSTPost (this post) 2017-09-13 11:18 JSTLotsa ways one can say "nama ham" (生ハム) - raw ham, uncured ham, dry-cured ham, prosciutto; a word I just learned today is cortador, Spanish, referring to a chef who prepares the ham in thin slices and arranges them beautifully on a plate. The reason I bring this up is that a certain Mr. Jo Akihiro, proprietor/chef of the Spanish restaurant El Castillo (get it?! His name translates as "castle," so he names his restaurant "The Castle"! Ha ha ha!) on Shinshigai was runner-up in the all-Japan Cortador Competition held in recently in Tokyo and will thus, along with the winner (some guy from Osaka), represent Japan at the World Cortador Cup, to be held in Toledo, Spain at the end of this month.Two points. One: I shoulda been a prosciutto judge - when I was in college, I didn't even know such a job existed. Two: I really, really want to visit his restaurant (新市街13−8 Azuma ビル2F). - William生ハム切りの技で全国準Ｖ 熊本市のシェフ・城さん - 熊本日日新聞 2017-09-12 15:58 JSTHmm. We seem to have another coming. Autumn typhoons can be rather powerful, so let's keep an eye on it, shall we? - William 2017-09-11 13:16 JSTTangentially related to Kumamoto: Abnormally low tides portend imminent disaster. Both tsunami and typhoons tend to suck up a lot of water before suddenly spitting it back out. Below top is a photo taken in Tohoku shortly before the tsunami hit; bottom is one of two beached manatees in Florida - apparently, the water withdrew too quickly for them to follow (they're not the brightest of animals, but then, this is not a normal situation). Fortunately, both were quickly rescued by rolling each onto a tarp and dragging them them to a channel, from whence off they swam. The rescuers than rapidly got the hell off the beach.Lesson: If you're at the beach and see something unusual like exposed tako pots or vast expanses of sand, head for the hills. Full article (and more photos) at the link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/beached-manatees-rescued-low-tide-hurricane-irma_us_59b5b0b8e4b0354e44129193 - William 2017-09-10 18:25 JSTPersonally, I am not interested enough in the inner workings of Sony's Kumamoto plant to read this long article carefully (about 2,700 words). Perhaps, however, there are some readers of this page who have some connection with the plant or other reason to be interested. -- KirkInside Sony Kumamoto: A rare glimpse inside Sony’s super-secret sensor factory 2017-09-10 14:24 JSTHurricane Irma is poised to rake the entirety of Florida from south to north. This reminds me of the deadliest non-earthquake related disaster in Kumamoto in modern times: a massive storm surge that left 31 dead and 1,211 injured, destroyed or heavily damaged almost 4,000 homes, and flooded 21,000 homes.Typhoon 18 ("Jake") came ashore over northern Kumamoto on September 24, 1999 with a barometric pressure of 930 hectopascals, dragging behind it a large storm surge. The peculiar characteristics of Yatsushiro Bay - south-facing with a very gradual slope and narrowing width - funneled the surge into a tsunami-like wave that barreled through the sea until it hit the cul-de-sac, the fishing town of Shiranui (不知火 - interesting name). This phenomenon has occurred in Shiranui periodically through history. Images of the surge and its aftermath are shown below.Best wishes to the people of Florida from your friends in Kumamoto. - William