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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✧

Hi friends.
Kumamoto-i has shared lots articles about ''MINAMATA''.
They will hold its advance screening on 21 August at Minamata city. There is meaning to play the movie at first at Minamata, I also think.
The movie will be released from 23 September in Japan.
The advance screening is cosponsored by 若かった患者の会(Wakakatta kannjyanokai) Patients group who were young at that time.)
The issue isn't past one but contentious, today's one.ーAtsuko.
全国に先駆けついに映画の舞台へ凱旋《日本最速》水俣市先行プレミア上映。8.21（土）水俣市文化会館

I have a daughter and teach at an all-female high school, so I'm familiar with the stress females face with their hair. Males have it easy - keep it above the collar, run a comb through if necessary, and that's it. Females in their morning rush will generally brush their hair back and gather it in a band. It's quick, efficient, and attractive. Apparently, it also keeps their heads cooler than having their hair over their ears. Sadly, the powers that be in some locales for some unknown reason have deemed this 「おしゃれ」(coquettish?) and are requiring female students to wear pigtails. That's a hellava lotta more work. If I were they, I would protest. Not only would it save time in the morning and keep them cool in the afternoons, it would teach them civics. - William
ポニーテールは×　熊本市の中学校「おしゃれだから」　母親ら疑問の声 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
ポニーテールは禁止です。理由は、おしゃれな髪形だから－。熊本市に、校則でポニーテールを禁じている中学...

Good morning Monday.
Beautiful views from 河内 Kawachi area.
Blue sky, shining 有明海 Ariakekai, brilliant orange trees' green.
The view might make you relax and give you lots power!! ーAtsuko(งᐛ )ง

JMA has a useful natural disaster page. We were just hit by a small jolt with an epicenter in Yamaguchi. I checked out for the first time the English version of the page and was confused by the button "Next Earthquake." Do they know something they're not sharing? - I clicked it to no response. - William
地図コンテンツページです。気象警報、大雨危険度、台風情報、気象情報、天気予報、季節予報、ひまわり、アメダス、ウィンドプロファイラ、海上警報、潮位観測情報、波浪観測情報、津波、地震情報、推計気象分布、震...

Kumanichi mentions a sake brewery in Yamato-cho called "Tsūjun Shuzō," named after their famed Tsūjun Bridge. It originated in 1770 using an architectural technique called 土蔵造り ('dozo-zukuri'), or "earthen-walled storehouse," apparently one of only 220 remaining in all Japan. They were popular as they were impervious to the ubiquitous fires that once ravaged cities here and also deterred thieves. The brewery has a cool Website which sadly does not mention tours, though there is a restaurant and sake tasting: https://tuzyun.com/ Put that on your bucket list; if you've never toured a sake brewery, you should. - William
https://kumanichi.com/articles/317499

Chuck Waterman here:
UPDATE: Two days past second shot. My only reaction is tiredness (Julie also has had a slight headache at times the last few days.)
Got my "vaccine passport. Took 35 minutes. Here's a picture:

Opponents of bosozoku ー暴走族ーthose who ride bikes illegally modified to increase their noise and then inflict their fetish on those trying to sleep - have scored a victory on one 20-year old Tamana woman riding an illegally modified bike on road prohibiting such traffic in Oguni, which should be a quiet town (she apparently works at a shop which modifies the bikes). One down. Let's hope they go after the shop. Click Kumanichi for a full view of the bike - William
「帰宅して」指示ルート守らず逮捕　容疑の女、改造オートバイで摘発後　熊本 ｜ 熊本日日新聞
「おとなしく帰りなさいと言ったのに」－。小国署などは１３日、不正改造のオートバイを指示された帰路以外...

Reports are flooding in about a hyena roaming Kumamoto. It's obviously a dog with scabies, caused by mites. The condition is easily treatable. However, it is a reminder against allowing pets to freely associate, and to have a good vet. Visit the Doubutsu Aigo Center http://doubutsuaigo.hinokuni-net.jp/ if you want to adopt a pet. - William
https://nordot.app/786827224114266112?c=92619697908483575
ハイエナ？熊本市で目撃多数　正体は皮膚病のタヌキ ｜ 熊本日日新聞
「ハイエナのような変な生き物がいる」－。熊本市鳥獣対策室にこんな目撃情報が寄せられている。皮膚病の疥...

July. It was a dark and stormy night. (Charles Schulz understood Kumamoto very well). - William

Long ago, before tunnels were bored through the mountains to create a more direct rail line connecting Kumamoto and Kagoshima, the sole route hugged the coast. It still exists, called the "Orange tetsudo" after the citrus grown in the area. It's popular among those who want to go nowhere slowly. They're offering a special menu to enjoy as you absorb the views and a passbook where you can receive a stamp at each station reached. Beautiful photos are at the link. - William https://www.hs-orange.com/kankou/

Sad news. A young Nottingham woman was found dead in her Yokohama apartment. I will not speculate. However, particularly for young, single people in Japan, stress can be intense. Tokyo English Lifeline (TELL) has a 24-hour counseling service. And of course, we at KI are always here, though we're not trained in this matter - just a listening ear. PM us if necessary. I myself have been there, with stress so high I considered just escaping, but there are options. - William
Suicide Awareness & Prevention | TELL Japan
Suicide Awareness & Prevention HomepageGet Involved Suicide Awareness & Prevention Suicide is an issue many of us are uncomfortable talking about and have trouble understanding, leaving most of us with insufficient and incorrect information about the issue and how to best support those in need. Savi...

Hi Kumamoto-i-ians, Joe Tomei here with some fun travel info. Jason Morgan, owner of the Voyager Bar (just off Daiko bashi, the bridge carrying the street car line into downtown) has the site https://kumamoto.guru/ and and the facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/kumamoto.guru
and I wanted to pass on this tidbit. He's got some great pics of his trip, so like the page if you can!

Hoshino Resort, a Nagano-based company, has announced tentative plans to redevelop the former Parco site with a hotel and a mix of retailers. Parco has said they will reopen their shop in the new building. - William
星野リゾート、パルコ跡地にホテル　熊本初進出、23年春開業　パルコも再出店へ ｜ 熊本日日新聞
星野リゾート（長野県軽井沢町）は７日、熊本市中央区手取本町の熊本パルコ跡地に建設中のビルにホテルを開...

Hi friends.
Sharing lots of ''SUN'' to move away rainy clouds from Kyushu!!!!
Sunflowers at 西原村 Nishihara mura, near 萌の里Moenosato.
They are full bloom this weekend.
I love Kumamoto summer!!! ーAtsuko(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡

A local market called “ Morning Glory Market at Koraimon Gate (高麗門あさがお市) “ has been held during this weekend. The venue is in Shinmachi (新町), Chuo-ku and it opens from 7:30 am to 1pm.
They exhibit Higo Asagao (肥後朝顔) which is one of the “Higo Rokka (肥後六花)”, means the six kinds of flowers. In the18th century when the Lord Shigekata Hosokawa (細川重賢) ruled Kumamoto, he encouraged his samurai to grow and develop the flowers for educational purposes such as disciplining their minds and cultivating their sensibility.
The refreshing colors of Asagao brings us “Ryo (涼, sense of coolness)” in this humid time of the year.
This market is the origin of the famous Ueki market in Kumamoto City. For further information, check the link below and if you have time tomorrow morning, drop by at the venue!
- Chieko

Floods pretty much are not a good thing unless you're a duck. We had quite a big one last year. Prepare: have a bug-out bag and ensure alternative communication methods with loved ones. - William
特集　熊本豪雨１年 | 熊本日日新聞社
河川のはん濫で通行不可能となった人吉市街地。奥が球磨川にかかる大橋＝午前９時２０分ごろ、人吉市寺町

Another update from the Prefectural JET advisors, Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland. (posted by Joe Tomei)
=====
Here are your coronavirus updates:
State of Emergency to be called again in Tokyo
Yesterday 920 new cases were reported in Tokyo, following a gradual increase in the numbers of new cases over the past two weeks. The national government has responded by beginning the process of calling a renewed State of Emergency, which was only downgraded to a Quasi-Emergency. Cases of the delta variant have been detected in multiple clusters in Tokyo.
The fourth state of emergency in Tokyo will come into effect July 12, last throughout the Olympics, and end August 22.
The existing State of Emergency in Okinawa will also be extended to August 22. Quasi-Emergencies in China, Saitama, Kanagawa and Osaka will also be extended until August 22. The Quasi-Emergencies in Hokkaido, Aichi, Kyoto, Hyogo and Fukuoka will end on schedule, on 11 July.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20210708/k10013127821000.html
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/0aa5e028dc1a8dfa60989ebc1d90b00ecfa63207
Risk Level lowered to "Level 3" in Kumamoto
Kumamoto's independent risk level was lowered to "Level 3" earlier this week, but the guidance against travel to areas with a State of Emergency or Quasi-Emergency remain in place.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/30/51409.html
Kumamoto City Vaccine Reservation Procedures
Kumamoto City has released a guide with detailed information on the vaccine as well s the procedures for booking it. It also includes an annotated translation of the mandatory medical history form, which is the same across the country. For those of you who live outside Kumamoto City and didn't receive this booklet in the mail, [it can be found at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GKFOh-4iseTC-EXNSAhhoo85nS2arrrq/view?usp=sharing]. The procedures will differ based on your municipality of residence but some of the information may be useful.
By the way, the fifth stage (第５期予約) of Kumamoto City's online vaccine reservations will be open for anyone over 12 years of age, with reservations possible by phone or online on Saturday, 10 July at 8:30 am. For information on how to access the website, see the attached document.
For those of you getting vaccinated, we hope your experiences are going well so far.
All the best and have a great Thursday evening,
Lily McDermott & Chase Sutherland
Kumamoto City COVID-19 Vaccination Procedure.pdf

Unfortunately, it's cloudy tonight instead of 七夕(たなばたTanabata, meaning "Evening of the seventh). Tanabata is also known as the Star Festival (星祭り, Hoshi matsuri),a Japanese festival originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival)
I'd like to share Japanese elementary schools' Summer flowers because I can't share beautiful Milky way. The 1st grade students raise 朝顔Asagao, the morning glory. They water them every morning.It's also Japanese summer colors.Hoping you also like it.
Higo Asagao is displayed now at Kumamoto castle for one week from 5 July. If you like them, please check it too.
https://www.facebook.com/944988642193083/posts/6074356822589547/?sfnsn=mo
ーAtsuko.(*Ü*)