I first came to Japan on a cargo ship from Taiwan with $800 and a phone number of a friend in Kyoto, and spent my first two weeks on Japanese soil in Okinawa. With language ability and cultural understanding both hovering around non-existent, all was inscrutable. Why, for example, did almost every shop have a yellow sign with a black cat out front? Was it some kind of religion? Turns out it was of course the logo for Yamato Delivery (lotsa omiyage in Okinawa), but with no language skills and no one to ask, that black cat remained a mystery for quite some time.
A black cat again unfamiliar in a Kumanichi ad caught my eye, but this time I’m better able to handle it. Turns out the little guy’s name is Kineko (the “ki” is likely from “kinematos,” Greek for “cinema”), and he’s the mascot for the non-profit Kineko International Children’s Film Festival (link below).
On April 15, the show comes to Kumamoto. Sponsored by the FOR KUMAMOTO PROJECT, the Kumanichi, and the Kumamoto Prefectural Theater (where it will be held in the main concert hall), the show is split into morning and evening sections (choose one). Tickets are free (2,400 available) and are intended for parents with children, though non-Japanese adults might also benefit from language immersion (I learned much of my Japanese by watching children’s TV with my kids). Below is the bill.
Morning (doors open 10:45; show starts 11:30) Thomas the Tank Engine “Harbour Hide and Seek” [UK / 8 minutes] ★ Pingu in the City “Now Under Construction!” [Japan · America / 7 minutes] Zebra [Germany / 4 minutes] Shimajiro’s Wow! “Hana and Baby” [Japan / 8 minutes] Teddy and Annie [UK / 8 minutes] ★
Afternoon (doors open 13:45; show starts 14:30) Peanuts Snoopy - short animation [France / 7 minutes] Komaneko “The First Step” [Japan / 5 minutes] The Chocolate Soldier [USA / 12 minutes] ★ Lila’s Sketchbook [Argentina · Spain / 9 minutes] Julian [Australia / 13 minutes] ★
The movies will be dubbed in Japanese. In the case of those marked with ★, the dubbing will be conducted live by two special guests, actresses Keiko Toda and Rika Matsumoto (戸田恵子さんや松本梨香さん). Questions can be directed to the Kumanichi “Kumamon & Kineko Film Festival,” 096-361-3343 (weekdays 9: 30 ~ 17: 30, likely Japanese only). Registration for tickets is done online via the below link (definitely Japanese only; message us for help if needed. I just completed ours and it’s quite easy.)
If you have children, they will certainly love this. If you’re just starting out with the Japanese language, you will certainly benefit. Please let us know if you have any questions. - William
