Many don’t know that the 熊 of 熊本 was originally 隈, which might be translated as “hinterland.” Kato Kiyomasa felt slighted by the nuance so switched the kanji to a homonymous but much cooler one. Flash forward 400 years, and we’ve got Kumamon, but the 隈 remains.
But not for much longer. A central-Kyushu expressway had long been envisioned. Kumanichi reports that the first half is on the verge of completion and is slated to open within the year. It will connect the Kashima junction with Yamato Machi (still called Yabe by old folks like me). That’s halfway over the hump to Oita and a stone’s-throw from Takachiho.
Kumamoto has come a long way from relying on the rivers for transportation. Here’s hope this will aid in economic revitalization of the 隈. - William
