Sharing symposium announcement. Atsuko (๑˃ᴗ˂)و
2023-11-01 17:49 JST 2023 Sharing symposium announcement. Atsuko (๑˃ᴗ˂)و ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 10 · Comments: 7 · Shares: 1 ← 2023-10-31 21:19 JST 2023-11-01 18:31 JST → Around this time … 2023-11-02 14:07 JSTKirk here with old but still very relevant news from local author Sean Micheal Wilson. In some personal correspondence with Sean, he pointed out to me that Kumamoto City has no policy to require home builders to replace trees they remove due to construction. I hadn't thought about the need to create legal incentives to plant trees until Sean pointed it out to me but his word certainly ring true. Much of my neighborhood, some of which had been cultivated land bordered by trees until very recently, is now almost all paved over. Most of the land has become plots for houses but many of the home owners have elected to cover all of their land in pavement -- no dirt, no trees. :( --- start quote ---Call that progress?: In the city of Kumamoto, a Meiji Era house and its beautiful old Japanese-style wall were knocked down recently, with 90 percent of its trees torn down too. The small area left at the back gives an idea of what the trees were like in the main garden. The plot is now a car park. | SEAN MICHAEL WILSON--- end quote ---https://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2017/09/20/voices/every-new-construction-japan-less-trees/?fbclid=iwar1wfoncjittebbhcumln1f2yxddnbhl8pqwtoup4re0adto-7bjs_heyqaWith every new construction in Japan, fewer trees 2023-11-02 12:43 JST(Claire) Tomorrow November 3rd is the festival at Rengei in (蓮華院祭り) outside Tamana city.It was last held 4 years ago. There is a lot of parking at the temple but it’s not walkable from the station and there are no extra buses being laid on this year afaik. The Yokozuna won’t be in attendance but it is still a really good festival. The temple is on top of a mountain with gorgeous views over the Ariake sea. https://www.facebook.com/reel/627093686169888?mibextid=kcDB8O 2023-11-02 12:33 JST(Claire)Tamana city has a busy weekend coming up. November 4th Saturday is our Firework Festival. Very near to Bonfire (Guy Fawkes) Night for any Brits missing home. There are half the amount of fireworks compared to pre Covid days but 5001 is still a good few I think! The city is usually gridlocked afterwards but this is the first time to try holding the festival in November so not sure about this year. It was moved to November because the soaring summer temperatures make preparations really hard for the volunteers in August who work all through the day to prepare for the evening events. My husband (Sezakinosake) is one of those volunteers so if you buy a draft beer please say hello ! Scroll down this link to find train times etc. 2023-11-01 20:17 JSTKirk here with a Kumanichi article that says that representatives of the foreign community have been invited to discuss the "foreigner as shimin" issue and other issues related to community building.Here's an English-language translation of the Kumanichi article:--- start translation ---Discussion with Foreign Residents: In Light of the Implementation of the Revised Municipal Basic Ordinance - Kumamoto Mayor on November 3rd2023.10.28 Morning EditionMayor Kazufumi Ōnishi of Kumamoto City will set up an occasion on November 3rd to directly hear from foreign residents living in the city regarding challenges they face. The event is organized in response to the enforcement of the revised Municipal Basic Ordinance, which emphasizes that "diverse citizens work together" in city planning. It will be held at the city's International Exchange Hall in Chuo Ward, where 15 individuals will be invited to share their opinions.During a regular press conference on the 27th, Mayor Ōnishi, while pointing out differences in language and lifestyle habits, stated, "It is important for both foreigners and local residents to understand each other's ways of thinking and values." He expressed an intention to increase opportunities for dialogue as a concrete measure to deepen mutual understanding.Reflecting on the journey to the ordinance revision, Mayor Ōnishi emphasized, "There were various discussions, including critical opinions. There were ups and downs, but I want to take it positively and promote a multicultural coexistence society." As a strategy to deepen mutual understanding in the community, he said, "I want to actively engage with the public by expanding forums like the discussions with foreigners that are taking place at the local community centers throughout various regions."(By Ayaya Uemura)--- end translation ---I've been invited to participate in a forum with the mayor once before so I've already had my turn. I'm happy to sit this one out. But, I can't help wonder how the representatives of the community were chosen. Were there people who contacted the city and are those the people who have been invited? Or, did they have some other way of choosing participants? It's great that the mayor is speaking with people but I think it's important for the process to be open and accessible to those who are most deeply interested. 2023-11-01 18:31 JSTSean here –A bazaar event, not to be confused with the bizarre author 😉 Here is a neighborhood opportunity to help a local church that supports Jiaien, a home for kids who are either temporarily or permanently separated from their parents.Maybe it is too late to donate for the bazaar, but give them a call just in case they will. If you miss the cutoff date, you can still make donations throughout the rest of the year.Here is an opportunity to make a difference locally.See the flyer for details 2023-11-01 17:49 JSTSharing symposium announcement. (this post) 2023-10-31 21:19 JSTKirk with a note on whether it's "Kinbozan" (my personal favorite) or "Kinpozan," another fairly popular reading of 金峰山. These are images of two signs that are very near Toge no chaya. People are told to say "Kinpo" when they head toward Kumamoto and then "Kinbo" when they leave. So, next time you think "Didn't that sign say something else when I came?" don't worry about your sanity; it really did.I wonder what the locals think about these signs, frozen as they are in a perpetual argument. "Kinpo" "No, Kinbo!" "If I've told you once, I've told you a thousand times, Kinpo!" "Now you listen to me . . ."Thanks to Sean for sharing the images of these signs with me. 2023-10-31 21:07 JSTAtsuko.This is information sharing for fans of Japanese sweets and craftsmanship.There was a previous discussion on this page about a wagashi making experience, but unfortunately this time it is for parents and children. But it is a FREE workshop. All workshops are fascinating, aren't they? My children are grown now, but I like these craftsmanship workshops and used to take them every year. Mini tatami mats are also nice. You can smell the nice smell of rush grass.Even if you don't have children, it is fun just to watch. I recommend this event. Reservations are required on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't delay.ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーPlanter tableWooden tree- shaped free rackFlower decorationMaking mini tatami matsChristmas flower arrangement Hand- rolled sushiJapanese sweets nerikiri (mandarin orange/ momiji)Making Danish bread and melon bread■Reservation reception starts from 10:00 on Wednesday, November 1st (first come first served) (096-325-6947)■Reception hours weekdays from 9:00 to 17:00■Please note that only one group can apply for one story. We will explain how we handle personal information.@熊本市職業訓練センター@Venue Kumamoto City Vocational Training Center 7-19-10 Hanazono, Nishi- ku, Kumamoto City (Next to Kakibaru Park)Previous post about Japanese sweetshttps://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=704791715015956&id=100064554018003P.S. I visited Tomodachiya's owner and asked him about non-Japanese speaking foreigners. He replied that he had had some non-Japanese speaking foreigners before. He can't speak English fluently, but he welcomes foreigners well.Yes, Just enjoy!!!!(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡ 2023-10-31 20:24 JSTWilliam After the war, Japan, in a panic to quickly obtain material for rebuilding, replanted most of its deforested land with vast plantations of sugi (cedar, 杉), a fast-growing tree with the unfortunate characteristics of providing zero benefit to wildlife but triggering terrible allergies to anyone with a functioning nose. To walk in a cedar forest is to enter an eerie zone of complete silence. Fortunately, the gov't has recently noticed this immense mistake and is taking steps to replace sugi with trees more suitable to the environment.One area left pristine, though, is in central Kyushu: Itsuki (五木). The village will hold a festival next weekend, 11/4-5, during the height of the autumn leaves season (紅葉, Kōyō). Festival info at the link; photo ripped from the Web. https://itsuki-no-koto.com/articles/akimatsuri2023?fbclid=IwAR1hTakmwMQJoDOGsOGvri7ce5BQgp9_OMJDbrn9pTq0b4SqE7nJGt_u3g4 2023-10-31 15:13 JSTKirk here with local labor news.Myanmar man sues sawmill operator after losing finger in accident 2023-10-31 08:24 JSTSean here – Adding to Kirk's previous post -File under – Our collective backyard - a Kinpo san update -It seems that the observation deck which has been under renovation the last couple of weeks is complete. What is interesting is what seems to be this temporary Green Vision adventure swing. Maybe someone else knows more about it. As if the views of Unzen could not get better, add a little adrenaline rush to spice it up.Also, an update on Kinpo San’s local Phriendly Pheasent Celebrity phowl.