Rescheduled for October 9th due to the typhoon. -- Kirk
2017-09-16 02:34 JST 2017 Rescheduled for October 9th due to the typhoon. -- Kirk 2017年度「藤崎宮秋の例大祭」は台風接近の為、10月9日に順延となりました！藤崎宮秋の例大祭2017は台風接近の為“順延”引用元：http://fujisakigu.or.jp/藤崎八幡宮の公式HPからのリリースによりますと検討の結果、台風18号の進路・勢力等を考慮し本年の神幸式を延期する事と決定致しました。ちょうど開催日の17日に最接近してしまった台風18号。引用元：https://news http://higojournal.com/archives/fuzisakiguuakinoreitaisai-en … 📅 Event details Event:Rescheduled EventDate:2017-10-09 ↗ 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: 1 ← 2017-09-15 15:24 JST 2017-09-16 09:58 JST → Around this time … 2017-09-17 12:44 JSTThe typhoon has made landfall on Kagoshima. It will probably hit Kagoshima and Oita harder than it will hit us, but this does not mean that people in Kumamoto have nothing to worry about. Some rivers in the southern part of the prefecture are near flood level. Take care!-- Kirkhttp://www.jma.go.jp/en/suigaimesh/flood.html 2017-09-17 08:55 JSTOn September 6th, RKK's "JUST" (their evening news show) aired a segment about the establishment of "Kumamoto International School," led by Matthew Ohm. Mr. Ohm also runs Picasso International School, an English-language preschool. There are several English-language preschools in Kumamoto but many years have passed since the last international elementary school in the prefecture closed. Currently, it seems that the majority of the parents who are interested in enrolling their children are Japanese people who would like their children to become fluent in English but, of course, the school may also be a good choice for the children of expats. According to the RKK report, there are plans for the establishment of international junior and senior high schools to allow the children to continue their education in English.-- KirkP.S. I wish I could link to the video but it seems to have been deleted from RKK's website. When the program was aired, I had just left the country and have only now had time to view my recording of the news program.School Vision | Kumamoto International School 2017-09-17 05:21 JSTThe storm is on our doorstep. The image you see represents current wind strengths according to http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com as of 5 AM Japan time. The site says that we are highly likely to experience tropical storm winds in the next 12 hours. The path is slightly to the south of us, which is good. Earlier this year we experienced a typhoon that came in just to our north, which caused it to have an impact that was disproportionate to its basic strength. Still, it's hard to know just how bad or mild the situation will be here. Right now it's fairly calm (light rain, not much wind) but that will change -- the only question is how much.-- Kirk 2017-09-16 20:59 JSTThe image is of a Google translation of evacuation information on a Yahoo page. It's hard to know just how bad or how mild the storm will be here in Kumamoto but it's better to err on the side of caution, especially if you are in a vulnerable area. Take care!-- Kirkhttps://crisis.yahoo.co.jp/evacuation/43/ 2017-09-16 09:58 JSTKumamoto City is the first municipality in the nation to say "no" to government calls for an evacuation drill in preparation for a possible missile attack from North Korea. Mayor Onishi has explained that he made the decision not to hold such a drill, in which sirens would blare and J Alerts would be sent to mobile devices, because he deemed it more important to avoid traffic accidents that might result from confusion caused by such a drill, which was to be scheduled for November:"大西市長は「訓練のサイレン音やメールで交通事故などが起きるのを避けるため中止した」と説明しています。"http://rkk.jp/news/index-google.php?id=NS003201709151940110111Personally, Mr. Onishi's position makes a good deal of sense to me. I suspect that the government's call for drills is largely an attempt to be perceived as taking some sort of action, regardless of how much practical benefit can reasonably be expected from the action. Such a drill might function to heighten fear and thus make people more inclined to rally around (or at least not oppose) the government but do little to actually promote public safety. Given the current mood in the country, I think that, politically, it would have been easier for the mayor to go along with the proposed drill instead of refusing to participate. I admire the courage Mayor Onishi has shown in this regard. -- Kirk 2017-09-16 02:34 JSTRescheduled for October 9th due to the typhoon. (this post) 2017-09-15 15:24 JSThttps://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/14/national/kumamotos-shattered-pottery-reborn-wajima-lacquer-twist/#.WbsM6q2B364-- Pasted by Kirk 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
