Kirk here sharing a post from Kumamoto Japan Tourism. I think this series is a …

Kirk here sharing a post from Kumamoto Japan Tourism. I think this series is a great idea. I love to see high school students using their hard-won English skills so meaningfully. In regard to KATO Kiyomasa, I’ve been impressed with just how many aspects of contemporary life in Kumamoto can be traced back to him. His civil engineering projects changed the course of the Shirakawa and created irrigation channels that are still in use today. Moreover, the following foods all have connections to KATO Kiyomasa (some more direct than others): basashi, karashi renkon, Chosen ame. Then, there’s Kumamon. If KATO hadn’t changed the character used to write Kumamoto from 隈 to 熊 we wouldn’t have a cute bear as a mascot. Since 隈 can refer to dark circles under your eyes, maybe KATO saved us from having an extremely tired looking character! ;) https://www.facebook.com/kumamoto.en/posts/pfbid0VtKkgYdkKToLoPfm9NpNwPce6Yw4UCWGShsWZbxUw1kBfo4uqa87RsddYAcSynF9l