I enjoyed reading this account of a visit to Kumamoto. -- Kirk
2017-11-06 17:41 JST 2017 I enjoyed reading this account of a visit to Kumamoto. -- Kirk From shrine to shore: A trip to southern JapanIt’s doubtful that I would have traveled to Japan just to be a tourist. It’s too far outside of my comfort zone. And the older I get, the less I https://azdailysun.com/news/local/from-shrine-to-shore-a-tri … ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 4 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 0 ← 2017-11-06 10:38 JST 2017-11-06 20:20 JST → Around this time … 2017-11-10 09:48 JSTThe Minamata Disease Exhibition will be held from Nov. 16 to Dec. 10.-- KirkMinamata exhibition to be held in Kumamoto 2017-11-09 12:16 JSTKumamon in Hong Kong. -- KirkAnthropomorphised bear Kumamon introduces 12 days of buffets at The Mira Hotel. Obviously. 2017-11-08 14:19 JSTOne day, Katsuyuki Kitagawa, head of Aso Farm Land, was inspired by his work in the Japanese sweets industry to design a house in the shape of a "manju," that dome-shaped confectionery filled with red bean paste. Probably a good idea he wasn't daydreaming about taiyaki (たい焼き), that fish-shaped confectionery filled with red bean paste. - WilliamJapan's quirky, quake-resistant dome houses prove a big draw 2017-11-07 21:32 JSTLong ago, the oosumo Kumamoto basho was held at the prefectural gymnasium, which was cool for me as I'd often return after the matches to "hang" (this being a regional event, the sumotori can relax and tend to depart to more salubrious, uh ... pubs ... quickly after the final bout) and once found Takanohana's cast-off yukata in a hallway corner (we apparently have the same arm length, while I lack the girth). This year's event will be held at the far-more-inconvenient Aquadome on December 9. Tickets top out at 17,800 yen for a ringside seat ("Oh, but they're sold out!" you can truthfully tell your date) to 5,000 yen for the nosebleeder seats. Doors open at 8:00 while makuuchi and all of the good stuff starts at 13:30, continuing until 15:00.Pro advice: Find "the" entrance and play paparrazi (bring a pen and a few "shikishi" autograph boards - and ask which pub they're headed to!) so as to have more fun for free. ー Williamhttps://kumamotobasho.jp/ 2017-11-06 20:20 JSTPlease support the 2017 熊本クリスマス トイ ドライブ・KUMAMOTO Christmas TOY DRIVE - This is their 31st year bringing toy-joy to kids (0~18 years old) who spend Christmas at institutions and baby homes in Kumamoto 🎁✨🎄 **Monetary donations are most useful, though brand new gifts/toys are accepted. Bank/PO transfer info below. There are many ways to help... See below💡 Manpower and (social) media shares are also much appreciated - December 17th is the day assigned for sorting all the gifts so many things need to happen before then to get everything ready** Contact Yasuyo Koga at [email protected] ぜひシェアしてください 🙏 熊本クリスマス トイ ドライブ - Ruth 2017-11-06 17:41 JSTI enjoyed reading this account of a visit to Kumamoto.From shrine to shore: A trip to southern Japan (this post) 2017-11-06 10:38 JSTThis article is primarily about New Zealand's All Blacks but Kumamoto comes up in the article because Kumamoto will be one of the venues of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.-- KirkAll Blacks to start World Cup against Boks 2017-11-05 18:43 JSTA wonderful Facebook page called "Yokai Attack!" exists for those interested in the former (and that's the 伸ばした'd yō - ようー - for those trying this at home). An article posted there today regarding youkai https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/11/japan-yokai-monsters-halloween/413557/ led me to wonder whether there are Kumamoto-specific types - and, thanks to the magic of Wikipedia (Japanese only), we now know that there are! Check here ... or under your bed. - William https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:%E7%86%8A%E6%9C%AC%E7%9C%8C%E3%81%AE%E5%A6%96%E6%80%AAThe World's Leading Country for Monsters 2017-11-05 11:51 JSTThe launching of the "Kawasemi Yamasemi" luxury sightseeing train got a lot of press earlier this year and two mentions on this page:https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1351394281600667https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1363058077100954An accident has occurred but fortunately there were no serious injuries. The train was touted as having the potential to contribute to the rebuilding of Kumamoto. I hope this relatively minor accident has not affected its potential to do so.-- KirkTrain hits truck stuck on railway crossing in Kumamoto Pref., 11 passengers injured - The Mainichi 2017-11-04 19:01 JSTMika Stoltzman is a musician who hails from Amakusa and occasionally returns to Kumamoto to perform. You can stream or download the audio of this performance on New York City public radio.More about Mika Stoltzman:- She was born in Hokkaido but grew up in Amakusa.- She graduated from Kumamoto Music Junior College, the predecessor of the Heisei Collge of Music: http://www.heisei-music.ac.jp. She must be their most famous graduate.- She has a Facebook page which, among other things, features a picture of her with jazz legends Chick Corea and Steve Gadd, who have both been supporters and collaborators: https://www.facebook.com/mikarimba/photos/a.520141474722369.1073741827.172692229467297/1441394429263731/?type=3&theater-- Here's the address of a YouTube video that is an example of both her roots in Amakusa (an image toward the beginning of the video) and her musical collaborations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXNNhJF_I_w-- Kirkhttp://www.wnyc.org/story/musicians-mika-and-richard-stoltzman/Musicians Mika And Richard Stoltzman Perform Live! 2017-11-04 15:06 JSTYushima (湯島), a 6.5KM-circumference island midway between Amakusa (Oyano) and Shimabara also known as "Discussion Island" (だんごうじま、「談合島」) as leaders of the Shimabara Rebellion often met there to strategize, is home to about 300 people (the vast majority over 70) and some 200 cats. Hence its nickname: Cat Island. The island is famous for octopi, which are really just cats with eight legs. A small ferry to Yushima departs from Oyano five times daily, Y600 O/W. (link: http://www.city.kamiamakusa.kumamoto.jp/q/aview/406/1585.html ). If visiting, bring kitty snacks to avoid catastrophe. Kumanichi in its print version is publishing a series of Yushima cat-a-day photos taken over the course of a year in order to publicize "the drama of the cats' lives and the warmth of the local people" and help feed your feline fix. The newspaper has also set up an Instagram page for those who can't abide the purrrgatory of waiting for each issue - link below.Remember, you can make a cat float - you just need two scoops of ice cream, root beer, and a cat. - Williamhttps://www.instagram.com/kumanichi_nekoshima/
