2024-10-05 21:53 JST 2024 ↗ View original post on Facebook For a link to the original post on Facebook, open this page on a computer. Reactions: 0 · Comments: 0 · Shares: 0 ← 2024-10-04 00:00 JST 2024-10-05 22:04 JST → Around this time … 2024-10-08 22:14 JSTPlease share this with anyone you think might be interested. We need to get the word out!!===========================Kirk here, asking that you help Takemura-sensei. I think many of you know of her work. For those who don't please read the following brief description which ChatGPT and I translated from the website where you can donate:--- start translation ---Message from the OrganizerWe provide Japanese language instruction and create safe spaces for children with foreign roots who are living in Kumamoto Prefecture, helping them achieve their dreams. We kindly ask for your continued support so that we can keep these efforts going!Project Highlights1. Over the past 15 years, we have expanded our Japanese language support for children.2. However, the rapid increase in the number of children has made it difficult to continue our support activities.3. We want to keep supporting these children so they can live confidently in Japan!--- end translation ---Website where you can donatehttps://for-good.net/project/1001095The image you see is of Takemura-sensei, the amazing person who started the school and has kept it going all these years. It's a screenshot of an NHK program about her activities that was broadcast nationwide in 2017:https://www2.nhk.or.jp/chiiki/movie/?das_id=D0015010752_00000The webpage has a segment of the show that you can see (that's where the image is from) and this blurb (as always, translated with ChatGTPs help) about her organization and activities:--- start translation ---In Koshi City, Kumamoto Prefecture, there is a house where children with roots in foreign countries gather on weekends. It is run by the NPO "Support Network for Children from Overseas, Kumamoto" (外国から来た子ども支援ネットくまもと). Children come from all over the prefecture to learn Japanese. While the children can speak Japanese fluently, they struggle with reading and writing. Due to the language barrier, they tend to feel isolated at school. In this house, they can converse in their native languages and enjoy meals together, making it a "second home" where they feel safe.--- end translation ---Takemura-sensei's work has been mentioned on this page several times. Here's one relevant post from Atsuko Kumabe:https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0Y9fZ4AarCBfhwz1LeXX6EVbBuwS2xLFnfn66nwLKXrtx8PZrYbS3445Yst3G7nNWlSome of the people who have donated and left comments are former students (writing their comments in excellent Japanese, of course). Here are some examples, translated into English:--- start quote ---from FumeiOctober 8, 2024I owe who I am today to the Support Network.今の私がいるのは支援ネットのおかげです。from son.hOctober 7, 2024It is no exaggeration to say that I am who I am today thanks to Takemura-sensei. I am truly grateful for your efforts on behalf of children overseas. I will continue to support you. Please always stay well.竹村先生のお陰で今の僕がいると言っても過言ではありません。海外の子供のためにご尽力頂き、本当に感謝しております。これからも応援し続けます。先生はいつもお元気でいらしゃってください。--- end quote --- 2024-10-08 08:36 JSTJoe Tomei here, passing this on. Details in the flyer 2024-10-05 23:00 JSTKirk here with news about preparations being made for the start of Kumamoto University's new international school in 2026. https://www.educ.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/kokusai/The website has both English and Japanese explanations and surveys. You can check out the English on your own so here's an English translation of the Japanese (prepared with ChatGPT's help):--- start translation ---Date: September 2024 Kumamoto Title: University Elementary School International Class Establishment Survey (For Japanese Students' Parents)At Kumamoto University Elementary School, starting in the 2026 academic year, an international class will be established where, in line with the Japanese national curriculum, all subjects, except for some like Japanese and moral education, will be taught in English. This will involve so-called "immersion education*" in English.In this international class, in addition to developing Japanese language skills, we aim to enhance English proficiency and enrich students' learning across various subjects. The class is expected to include both Japanese and foreign students, creating natural opportunities for using English in daily life. Moreover, classes will be co-taught by a Japanese teacher and a native English-speaking foreign teacher, with Japanese used as needed to ensure that students acquire the desired skills and abilities through attentive, detailed instruction.*Note: Immersion education refers to teaching subjects in a second language to enhance language learning.--- end translation ---https://forms.office.com/r/0VC2WrN5mJHere's the English form:https://forms.office.com/r/Ac1TD8znvz 2024-10-05 22:46 JSTSean here - For yoga practitioners and or those who are Yoga curious:ヨガをやっている、もしくはヨガに興味のある方へ：私たちは月に2回ヨガをやっています。よく「体が硬いからヨガをするのは難しそう」という方がいますが、ヨガには曲芸師のような柔らかさは必要ありません。その人の柔軟性に応じて行うのがヨガで、それで十分です。心を落ち着けるストレッチのようなものだと考えてください。クラスは日本語で行われます。私たちはこのヨガの集まりを週1回に増やすことを考えています。もしあなたやあなたの知り合いがヨガの先生で、教える場所を探している場合、ぜひご連絡ください。They have classes twice a month, Sunday mornings. You don’t need to be a contortionist to participate—think of this as mindful stretching. Classes are conducted in Japanese.They are considering expanding our meetings to once a week. If you or someone you know is a budding entrepreneur yoga teacher looking for a venue to practice, please message me (Sean) or contact them directly using the QR code found on the flyer. 2024-10-05 22:04 JSTHi there! If you're near Nagasu Port this Sunday (6th Oct) the クリーンパークファイブ環境フェスタ2024 will be taking place from 9am-2pm. It's an Eco/Community Festival at a recycle center by the coast, with a flea market, performances by local kindergarten kids, emergency vehicles on display, an environmental poster display, food trucks, etc. Address: 熊本県玉名郡長洲町大字名石浜４２番地１ クリーンパークファイブClosest Station: 長洲駅・Nagasu Station (4.4km / 1 hour walk away if you're feeling it!) See the Japanese link for more info: https://www.ariake-kouiki.or.jp/gyousei/oshirase/320658*Posted by Ruth (PS: I inadvertently let FB make a rather sad looking event for this, so also adding this to the feed!) 2024-10-05 21:53 JSTPost (this post) 2024-10-04 00:00 JSTKirk here. Another item for bushido fans. I've provided a complete English translation (ChatGPT, of course) for the entire segment.--- start translation ---Experience Iaido in the “Sacred Land of Miyamoto Musashi” — Over 100 Foreign Visitors! Samurai Tourism in the Spotlight Thanks to Drama and FilmOctober 3, 2024 (Thursday) 19:07Currently, Japan’s "Samurai Spirit" is gaining renewed attention.The drama SHOGUN, produced and starring actor Hiroyuki Sanada, has won an Emmy Award. Additionally, the movie Samurai Time Slipper has become a hit.Samurai Time Slipper tells the story of a samurai from the late Edo period who time-travels to the present day and knocks on the gates of a period drama filming studio. As attention grows toward the “samurai spirit,” there are opportunities to experience it firsthand in Kumamoto."Dogi," "iaido," and "matcha"...The Kumamoto Bushido Tourism Council offers this experience plan. The plan includes an opportunity to try out the swordsmanship art of iaido at a dojo in the bustling downtown area of Kumamoto City.The theme of the plan is the invincible swordsman Miyamoto Musashi and his Niten Ichi-ryu style. Under the instruction of Akinori Matsunaga (松永哲典, Matsunaga Akinori), who carries on the Niten Ichi-ryu tradition, more than 100 people from over 10 countries have participated in the experience over the past three years.Recognizing the promotion of Kumamoto as the “Sacred Land of Miyamoto Musashi” and showcasing the appeal of martial arts and culture, the Kumamoto Bushido Tourism Council received the Attractive Japan Award. Among more than 600 plans handled by the booking site Attractive JAPAN, this experience received the highest rating.Akinori Matsunaga, representative of the Kumamoto Bushido Tourism Council, said, “We offer iaido as a means of facing oneself. I hope that through this experience, people will spend more time in Kumamoto and learn more about the area.”In addition to the iaido experience, the plan also allows participants to create Higo inlay accessories and enjoy matcha with local sweets.--- end translation ---「宮本武蔵の聖地」で居合道体験 海外客は100人超！ドラマ・映画で注目の“武士道ツーリズム”が好調 | 熊本のニュース｜RKK NEWS｜RKK熊本放送 2024-10-02 23:41 JSTHi! Kirk here. I actually found this information in Japanese. Sometimes, I guess you have to be more-or-less fluent in Japanese in order to find out where you can study Japanese in order to become fluent. :(Here's a ChatGPT translation of part of the text of the Japanese article:--- start translation ---Application Period: October 2, 2024 (Wednesday) until the class reaches capacityEligibility: Foreign residents aged 15 and older living in Kumamoto PrefectureCost: ¥4,800 (tax included, bank transfer fee not included) — one-time payment for ¥800 per monthRequirements:- Internet access (non-metered connection recommended)- A PC, smartphone, or tablet with Zoom installed- Webcam, microphone, and headphones (built-in ones are acceptable)--- end translation ---https://japan.cnet.com/release/31034660/I'll end with the links to the English-language form and all of the forms in other language.In this case again (sigh) the English form has no links to the Japanese form or to forms in other languages -- it's a dead end in that regard. (What follows is meant to be dripping with sarcasm.) Who might have thought that a student of Japanese might actually be interested in taking a crack at reading the original Japanese! No, impossible! Foreigners only need English -- even foreigners who say that they want to study English -- and even when the English is a machine translation that has errors!English formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/en/Japanese formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/jp/Simplified Chinese formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/cnh/Traditional Chinese formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/cnk/Indonesian formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/id/Korean formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/kr/Tagalog formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/ph/Vietnamese formhttps://attainj.co.jp/kumamoto-nihongo/form/vn/ 2024-09-29 20:54 JSTKirk here with an announcement from Megan. (Thanks Megan! Congratulations Patrick!)--- start announcement ---Local community member Patrick Ijima-Washburn is hosting an art show beginning Tuesday October 1st! Come out and support him at a reception held on the first night: snacks and drinks provided! English followsレトロポップ イラストレーター「ぱとこん(patokon」個展のレセプションを開きます。「ぱとこん」として絵を描いてる井島ワッシュバーン・パトリックのクリエーティブ活動30年記念展示です。2016年に発表した絵本『がっぱちゃんとぐまくんの一二三(ひふみ)』の原画を特別にこの日だけに展示します。他の作品18点を1日から31日まで未来会議室下通店で展示します。ワインとチーズを飲食しながらぱとこんさんのアートトークを楽しみましょう！A reception will be held for the solo exhibition of retro-pop illustrator "patokon."This exhibition commemorates 30 years of creative activity by Patrick Ijima Washburn, who draws under the name "patokon." The original illustrations from the picture book "Gappa, Guma and the Words of Wisdom," published in 2016, will be exhibited specially on this day only.18 other works will be on display at Mirai Kaigi Shitsu Shimo-tori from the 1st to the 31st.Enjoy Patokon's art talk over wine and cheese!--- end announcement --- 2024-09-29 10:34 JSTFiona here, posting on behalf of a member of Kumamoto-i who has created a new group for foreigners living in this prefecture. Please check it out and share the info.:Hi everyone, I am making a community Facebook group much alike the ones for Tokyo or Osaka, but for our beloved Kumamoto. The objective is to create a community to chat about daily stuff. Things like where to find a good dentist, any good Indian supermarkets, anyone interested in meeting up, etc. The more people the group has the better. So please join and let’s grow our Kumamoto Expat Network.https://www.facebook.com/share/g/ShcAPPAGXZY1yP1G/?mibextid=K35XfP 2024-09-28 14:04 JSTVolunteers are needed at 城彩苑Josaien to help with preparations for Mizuakari.We are waiting for those who are interested.Till 4pm today.Atsuko is also there.( * ॑꒳ ॑*)Tomorrow they will not work.Next Saturday and Sunday there will be another volunteer activity at the same place in Josaien from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm!https://www.facebook.com/share/p/U1ae4roY3BQFb1RH/
