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Three Kumamoto military bases attracted the attention of America’s B-29s in the closing days of the war: Kengun, Kitakumamoto, and the airport, which was then in Kikuchi. (Disclaimer: I've taught at all three.) When I tried to turn my elderly neighbor's yard into a garden, I found it meters deep in roof tiles. Oe must have been an inferno then. Now is the anniversary of that hellish time. A monument exists alongside Shirakawa near Denshadori to remind us. - William
We enjoy Olympics everyday.ーAtsuko.(งᐛ )ง
Way back in 1587, Kato Kiyomasa managed to transit from the Warring States period to the Azuchimomoyama era (安土桃山時代) without being killed、so the new Shogun, 織田信長 (Oda Nobunaga), sent Kato to invade Korea along with a compatriot, Konishi Yukinaga (小西 行長, pictured below, rockin' that yoroi - to say the two didn't get along would be an understatement) in the expectation that they wouldn't return, but when they did, Nobunaga gifted Kato with the far-flung province of Higo - northern Higo, to be precise, as Nobunaga had also gifted southern Kumamoto (now Uto) to Konishi. Perhaps Nobunaga was hoping the two would kill themselves off. But they didn't, and Kato outlasted Konishi and united the province. - William
Kato Shrine used to be at where Fujisaki Dai baseball stadium is now, but during the Meiji Restoration, the shrine was moved inside the castle grounds proper. This left an empty space, which was filled by the stadium. It really must be one of the most beautiful stadiums in Japan, with excellent views of Mt. Kimpo and 400-year old camphor trees (kind of a funny kanji - "kusunoki" ends up being one: 楠) behind it. I'd strongly suggest a stroll behind the stadium to admire the trees. - William
Oft times you'll spot a monolith in Kumamoto City and can imagine the thud it made when Aso spit it out - must have been quite an eruption for ejecta to travel so far. Probably the thudiest. And it's still capable of this. Makes living in Kumamoto that much more thrilling. - William
https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/geosoc1893/36/433/36_433_17/_article/-char/ja/
Kirk here. I'm considering a trip to the U.S. to visit family over the summer vacation. I'm looking into resources on government web pages and am aware of the need to be tested for COVID-19 just before returning. I also understand that I won't be able to take any connecting flights after my return to Japan. So, I'm guessing that I'll need to rent a car and drive from Tokyo or from Osaka (which airport I wind up using). If I can fly through Seoul (transit) then I should be able to enter Japan in Fukuoka, but I'm not sure if that's kosher.
Do any of you have experience and/or words of wisdom regarding such a trip? If you would prefer not respond on Facebook, you can write to me directly at [email protected]. Thanks!
By the way, I will be fully vaccinated by the time I take the trip but that doesn't seem to have any direct impact on my re-entry or the period of quarantine that will follow.
Kirk here. I just learned that Sky Brown, this year's youngest (and probably cutest!!) olympian spends half of the year in neighboring Miyazaki prefecture. She's competing for the UK (which, I guess, is the country of her citizenship) but, when not in Miyazaki she seems to spend her time in the U.S. -- which probably explains her American accent. Go Sky!!
https://www.facebook.com/awsmkids/posts/372786420878192
Just FYI, this is what you can expect to be underwater in the next few decades. Global warming is a bit interesting: it's not just that precipitation increases, it's that warmer water fills greater volume. - William
Here's a bit of a secret. If you visit Tsujyunkyo in Yabe, cross it and take a long stone stairway down to where the river is delivered via waterfall called 五老ヶ滝 (Gorougataki - "waterfall of the five elderly"). No one swims there but me - and maybe you, if you can withstand anvil-type water shards battering your head (hint: swim backwards). If you reach the falls, you can climb up behind it, where there's no water at all, but the deepest of moss you'll ever feel. This is a wonderful summer adventure. - William
Researches at Kumamoto University are involved in figuring out what makes the Delta variant (L452R) so nasty.
-- Kirk
P.S. Let's all get vaccinated as soon as possible!
SARS-CoV-2 spike mutation L452R evades human immune response and enhances infectivity, researchers find
Researchers have shown that the L452R mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which is common to two variants (Epsilon and Delta), is involved in cellular immunity evasion via the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) A24, and enhances viral infectivity.
The Rising Sun Flag (旭日旗, Kyokujitsu-ki) is a Japanese flag that consists of a red disc and sixteen red rays emanating from which. Sadly, it became convoluted with the war though its history is far older. Apparently, its origins are from Kikuchi (didn't know that!), appropriate as it is one of the oldest domains in Japan. You can see other flags and read more about it here. - William https://kumamoto-senseki.net/5-1sub1/n.html
Have you bought eggs from a vending machine? Ogata Egg Farm has four egg vending machines in Koshi City and Kikuyo Town and refills fresh eggs every day.
When you find one, try to buy a pack of fresh eggs!
- Chieko
A verdict was rendered in the sad case of local trainee (jisshuusei) convicted of abandoning the bodies of her stillborn twins. I have serious misgivings about the verdict but I'll let you all read the article and decide for yourselves.
Rather, I'd like to make a few comments about an aspect of the coverage of this issue and others like it that I'm not happy with: the use of the words onna (女) and otoko (男) for most people deemed to be criminals. I say "most people" because the usage is not consistent but I'll get to that point later. First, let's look at how this has been covered in Japanese.
Here's an example of coverage by TKU, a local TV station:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/8ba936ccb917f1b5ca3a20a8998d00178821a1a4
In the video (text is also available on the page), they refer to the accused as "ベトナム人技能実習生の女" (a Vietnamese trainee woman). The point is that they use "の女" (no onna) at the end. RKK used the same kind of expression. This kind of language expresses contempt. In normal polite discourse the terms 女性 (josei) and 男性 (dansei) are used. (By the way, if you say "あの女は" about some female person and you are overheard by a friend or supporter, well, as they say, "them's fightin' words" so watch your back.)
If the Japanese media were consistent in automatically expressing opprobrium in this manner toward all people who have been convicted of a crime, that would be one thing. In fact, however, the media exercise considerable discretion in regard to such expressions of disdain. The Japanese version of the Mainichi article, for example, doesn't bother to use either "女" (onna) or "女性". After all the gender of the person who gave birth is clear from the context so "Vietnamese trainee" is enough. The addition of "の女" by TKU was a sort of gratuitous "dis."
Moreover, here's an example of a person who is convicted of a more serious crime, murder, but is referred to with the more polite "男性" (dansei), not otoko:
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/20b0d3c6cfe54853ab0fb9e1e38974841a3d423d
What's the difference? Well, the murderer once had the title "Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries." He was a powerful man with a high social position. So, even though he killed his son with a knife, he is still referred to as "dansei."
It's my observation that you are more likely to be called "onna" or "otoko" if you are a foreigner that is accused of a crime. Afterall, you are an easy target. Who would complain about your treatment in the media? The use of this language, particularly in regard to people who are accused but not yet convicted, makes me think that many in the Japanese media don't care much about the presumption of innocence.
This rant has been brought to you by Kirk (60代の男)
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20210721/p2a/00m/0na/027000c
Vietnamese trainee in Japan convicted of abandoning stillborn twins' corpses - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- A 22-year-old Vietnamese technical intern accused of abandoning the bodies of twins in November 2020 soon after she delivered them in a so
From today to August 8th, there is a photo exhibition by Mugishima Masaru ( 麦島勝 ) at Kumamoto City Handicrafts Promotion Center ( 熊本市くまもと工芸会館 ) in Kawashiri, Minami-ku, Kumamoto City.
In this exhibition, we can see photos taken in all around Kumamoto mostly in the mid-20th century when Japan was experiencing high economic growth so cities are lively but people in rural areas were still following the traditional way of life.
The entrance fee is free. There are some nice wagashi shops in Kawashiri so I hope you will enjoy exploring the area and visit the handicraft centre to see Mugishima's photos. Have a lovely weekend!
- Chieko
明太子 (mentaiko) is translated as "spicy cod roe." I dunno how they get the cod to eat spicy stuff, but that's a different story. My wife figured out that, if you mix it with mayonnaise, it makes a perfect vegetable dip. Try it out. - William
The following video is related to an exhibition that it underway at the Contemporary Art Museum of Kumamoto.
https://www.facebook.com/david.king.144181/posts/10159595225194515
The exhibition is indoors so we may not get the full effect of Theo Jansen's amazing creations (which are animated by only the power of the wind -- completely analogue), but a segment I saw on TV was enticing nonetheless.
Hiromi Chida has posted a detailed explanation in both Japanese and English:
https://www.facebook.com/hiromi.chida.3/posts/10226476039267297
-- Kirk
Kirk here, back again after a rather long and unexcused absence. I had a note from my mom but I can't find it now -- guess the dog ate it. ;)
I just did a little news search for "Kumamoto" and found that it's the name of a new album released by Garrett Kato:
https://www.facebook.com/garrettkatomusic/posts/229823592293127
I listened to some of the tunes. Nice!
The Olympics loom. The Guardian has an article with accompanied video about the '64 games. It's good watching during your summer vacation. Below is a quote from the article. - William
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/21/how-capturing-the-small-details-at-tokyo-64-created-a-masterpiece
Here's a direct link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHt0eAdCCns
The story told in the documentary is more complicated and ambiguous. It was directed by Kon Ichikawa, who had only just won the Jury Prize at the Cannes Festival for his film Odd Obsession. The organisers had originally hired Akira Kurosawa, but dropped him when he insisted on having complete creative control over the opening and closing ceremonies as well. It paid off. Ichikawa, who had made his name with two anti-war movies, The Burmese Harp and Fires on the Plain, ended up making one of the great sports films. It won two Baftas, including best documentary.
How capturing the small details at Tokyo 64 created a masterpiece | Andy Bull
The greatest Olympic film was made by not always chasing the glory shot. Tokyo 2020 documentary makers should do the same
Hi again.
Personally, I don't think we should hold Olympic in such COVID-19 pandemic.
On the other hand, I'd like to encourage and cheer ALL players and athletes. Especially the 2 badminton players, 福島由紀(Yuki Fukushima) and 廣田彩花(Sayaka Hirota) are from Kumamoto!!
Fukushima is from 八代Yatsushiro. Hirota is from 和水町Nagomimachi.
Yes, my hometown is also Nagomimachi! Hirota and me are same elementary school and junior high OG. Her house is next area from my house.
They had belonged to ルネサス Renesas and 再春館Saishunkan badminton team before, now in 岐阜県 Gifu.
They are named and called '' フクヒロFUKUHIRO ペア pair'' They are world's No.1 ranked now.
My hometown, Nagomimachi is so small local town so I hope lots Kumamoto residents support and cheer them too!!!!
Hoping you also enjoy their matches as my friends! ーAtsukoଘ(੭ˊ꒳ˋ)੭✧
