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Thanks to Grace for her heads up about the TV show about Kumamon:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/2355240264549392?__tn__=-R
Here's another bit of news for Kumamon and/or anime fans:
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201812220001.html
-- Kirk
ANIME NEWS: Kumamon set to make worldwide debut in anime series：The Asahi Shimbun
Kumamon, Kumamoto Prefecture’s ubiquitous bear-like mascot, will star in an animated series produced

This post is about making the transition from a computer with conventional USB-A (the heretofore "normal" USB size) ports to the newer and smaller USB-C type. It's not a strictly Kumamoto-specific topic but, on the other hand, I have a little advice about how to make the transition here in Kumamoto.
First, a little about "USB-C": Apple's new MacBooks have abandoned the USB-A standard and, according to the following article "It won’t be long before USB-C does to USB 3.0 what USB 1.0 did to serial ports. You’re going to start seeing a lot more USB-C ports on computers in the future."
https://www.techstudiomacandpcrepair.com/hardware/a-new-standard-is-coming-what-is-usb-c-and-why-do-you-want-it/
USB-C ports are much smaller than the old USB-A type, so they help manufactures of laptops build thinner models.
Now, here's a little report about making the transition in Kumamoto. I recently got a new MacBook through my university but the computer arrived before the USB-C hub. So, I made a quick trip to Yamada Denki, an electronics store near my home in Obiyama, to pick up a USB-C to USB-A adapter that I could use to connect an old hard drive to my computer. When I got to the store, I was disappointed to find that, although they sold USB-C hubs that would do the job, they were all quite expensive. I only needed a simple USB-C to USB-A adapter but the closest thing was a relatively simple hub (USB-C to 4 USB-A outlets) for about 2,000 yen. (A clerk told me that simple adapters "were not available" -- making it sound like they hadn't been invented or something.) Other hubs were as much as 6,000 yen or more. Then, last night, I happened to stop by a local 100 yen shop (this one is called "meets." -- no capitalization + meaningless period) where I bought the adapter you see for 100 yen. After bringing it home I confirmed that it works perfectly. I plan to buy several more to carry with me so that I can connect usb flash memory sticks, an old USB to ethernet adapter, and other USB peripherals to my new computer when the need arises.
So, if you need to make the transition, or if you already have a USB-C computer, I thought you'd like to know that 100 yen stores may have items that you can't find in larger electronic equipment stores. Perhaps the big stores don't to sell inexpensive adapters of the type I bought last night because they don't want them to cut into their hub sales. Caveat emptor.
-- Kirk

A few months ago, frustrated by the lack of escape rooms in Kyushu, I decided I would just have to create one myself. Not wanting to throw all my life savings into a business which may not take off, instead of finding a room for my venture I decided to somehow build it into my classroom at the English school I own. My students were quite puzzled by the appearance of locked chests and briefcases, strange charts and mysterious cubes...
It's not a traditional escape room as you're not actually locked inside, but the game offers all the excitement of solving puzzles and finding hidden treasure against the clock. I will be closing it for good at the end of January, so if you'd like to give it a try, make sure you book your game by January 27th. It's open over the long weekend (1/12-14) and over the following two weekends (Friday and Monday evenings, anytime on Saturday and Sunday). If you're interested in playing, please check out the Escape from Britz Facebook page, or leave a message in the comments and I'll contact you.
- Fiona

The banpeiyu (晩白柚 - pomelo, or it's much more evocative Latin names, Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis) is the largest of all citrus fruit when including the rind, though the flesh (yup, that's what they call it) itself is not much larger than the grapefruit. If you end up with one, toss the rind into your bath for silky-smooth skin.
One of the oldest citrus types in existence, it is intensively cultivated in the hills of Yatsushiro. Kumanichi reports that the region has begun banpeiyu exports to Hong Kong, trending with increased agricultural exports from Kumamoto to nearby countries due to improvements to Yatsushiro's port facilities. The photo shows the Yatsushiro mayor passing a box of banpeiyu to a truck driver; presumably, a more efficient conveyance system will be introduced. Meantime, meeting a Hongkonger with silky-smooth skin, you'll know why. - William
八代特産バンペイユ、香港へ出荷　春節の贈答用に - 熊本日日新聞 ｜ This Kiji
トラックの運転手（左）にバンペイユの段ボールを手渡す中村博生市長＝八代市　熊本県八代地域特産のかんきつ類バンペイユが１１日、香港向けに出荷された。春節（旧正月）の贈答用として、２４日から２月６日まで香...

I posted an article about plans for this facility early last year but missed this article:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1823267331080024
By now, the plant should be up and running. To be honest, I don't feel very good about humankind using lots of energy to run computers to do mining like this. It strikes me as a waste, even if it IS profitable. I'd rather see electric energy used to light Kumamoto Castle, as you see in photo. ;)
-- Kirk
Kumamoto Electric Company and OZ Mining Corporation to Start Mining in Southern Japan - Bitcoin News
Kumamoto Electric Power Company and OZ Mining Corporation announced that they will start operating a crypto mining farm from August 1st 2018, targeting to install 14,000 mining machines and reach 90 million yen sales profit by March 2020.

Breaking news from your roving chocolate correspondent! If you're a chocolate lover, and forgiving of unnecessary punctuation, the Royce' chocolate truck is in town. Parked outside the Oe Aeon/United Cinema on Densha-dori until January 14th, you can stock up on goodies for your winter kotatsu life, or get ahead of the game and make all your Valentine's Day purchases. I intended to do the latter, but who am I kidding, these are all for me really. I always have a moment of panic when I'm asked if I need extra gift bags, as if the clerk can somehow read my mind. If you haven't tried them, I recommend the Mild Bitter Royce' potato chip chocolates, a delicious combination of sweet and salty. That punctuation mark really bothers me though...
- Fiona

Nagasu is a small town on Ariake Sea sandwiched between Tamana and Arao which, if you're a goldfish aficionado, you would know as Nagusu is globally renowned for goldfish. In fact, it is the only location in Japan which conducts auctions for goldfish (and koi), the first of which were held yesterday, attracting 60 participants nation-wide, the Kumanichi reports.
There was no word regarding how the goldfish felt about being auctioned off or whether any ichthys feelings were hurt. - William
活気にあふれ、品定め　長洲町で金魚とニシキゴイ初競り - 熊本日日新聞 ｜ This Kiji
金魚とニシキゴイの初競りで品定めをする参加者たち＝長洲町　国内有数の金魚産地・熊本県長洲町の長洲観賞魚競売場で１０日、金魚とニシキゴイの初競りがあった。九州内外から業者や愛好家ら約６０人が集まり、威勢...

Olivia here,
I am starting slow this year.
And it seems that I still can’t move on from the fun my family had at Greenland Amusement Park, Arao city.
It was not Tokyo Disneyland or Universal Studio of Japan, but it did have its own charm with its kids’ friendly attractions. Somehow it reminded of Legoland (in term that certain parts of the park was really designed to give fun to kids at certain age)
The park was not new. It was opened on July 1966 (that’s what Google says)
Wow, it’s older than me!
The attraction I show in picture below is a Maze.
On the left side it was written
勇者 コース (ゆうしゃ コース) (“Brave man” / “Bravery” Course),
and on the right side it’s written
賢者 (けんじゃ コース) (“Wise man” / “Wisdom” course).
I sent my younger kids inside the maze, and it took time for them to find the way out. Perhaps they were hungry.
You can buy separate tickets for each attractions at the park, but it is recommended to buy Free Pass that will allow you to enjoy as many rides as you want.
Avoid Public Holidays, the queue will tire you out.
This is the official website for Greenland.
http://www.greenland.co.jp/park/tickets/

Here's an old article I neglected to share about a war museum to be built in the Hitoyoshi area.
-- Kirk
Planned war museum in Kumamoto Prefecture criticized for tourism focus | The Japan Times
A project to build a war museum in the town of Nishiki, Kumamoto Prefecture, has drawn the ire of a group of local residents, who say the initiative is "do

A museum about Kanakuri Shiso, the pioneer marathon runner who is the main character in the first half of NHK's newest Taiga Drama, will open in Nagomi-machi on Saturday. Nagomi-machi, by the way, is the town that was hardest hit by our recent earthquake.
Also, here's the address of a post I made about this Sunday's NHK broadcast:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/2340748102665275?__tn__=-R
-- Kirk
オリンピック初の日本人選手で日本マラソンの父である金栗四三。オリンピック史上最も遅いマラソン記録を保持しているのに、なぜ「韋駄天」といわれているのか？その人生に関する情報や生誕地の和水町の魅力、金栗四...

Two things to know about Kumamon:
¹(He's not real. Don't tell your kids.)
²Everyone loves him. Kumanichi reported that Kumamon has received 7,352 New Years messages (nengajo, 年賀状), including many from surrounding countries such as Taiwan and Korea.
The article doesn't say whether Kumamon, as is de rigueur, would respond to all. - William
温かいメッセージ添えて　くまモンに年賀状六千通 - 熊本日日新聞 ｜ This Kiji
愛らしいイラストなどが手書きされたくまモンへの年賀状＝８日、県庁（上杉勇太）　熊本県のＰＲキャラクター・くまモンあての年賀状が７日までに、６１５４通届いた。９割以上は県外からで、台湾、香港などアジア圏...

This article about Kimiko Nishimoto, whom we've discussed on this page several times in the past, is fairly old now but I seem to have neglected to introduce it here. So, better late than never (I hope) . . .
-- Kirk
Kumamoto’s 90-year-old Insta-gran earns global acclaim - The Nation
Ninety-year-old Kimiko Nishimoto of Kumamoto has won worldwide adoration for her unique selfies.

There's a new online community for people in Kumamoto who like to write, whether it be professionally or for pleasure; fiction, poetry, a blog...if you write and would like to connect with other writers in town, please check out the new Facebook group Kumamoto Writing Community.
- Fiona

Here's a nice article about Kurokawa Onsen.
-- Kirk
Kurokawa Onsen: Eat, sleep, bathe, repeat | The Japan Times
Despite its rapid growth in the 1960s, Kurokawa Onsen maintains a charm that effuses throughout the buildings and the narrow alleyways that run down the steep banks to the Kuro River. It feels old, and has escaped much of the overenthusiastic concrete landscaping that is present elsewhere in Japan.

I had influenza two decades ago, the only time I'd ever missed work, and the memory of severe misery remains. Kumanichi reports that the number of influenza cases reported by designated hospitals has risen dramatically in the last few days to about 1,200 severely miserable people. This might be attributed to the close contact people have at shrines and homes during New Year celebrations.
Health insurance covers most influenza vaccination (infuruenza yobou sesshu, インフルエンザ予防接種) cost, with out-of-pocket less then 2,000 yen. A list of hospitals which offer subsidized vaccinations is attached. They're likely alike, so the one closest to you is probably best. In the meantime, sanitize your hands and keep them away from your mouth. Please direct specific questions to the comment section below. - William
熊本市のインフルエンザワクチンを接種可能な病院 | 病院なび
熊本県熊本市のインフルエンザワクチンを接種可能な病院一覧です。病院なび(病院ナビ)では「女医」「夜間診療可能」「ネット予約/電話予約」などの条件で全国の医療機関の情報や評判を検索できます。

The Taiga Drama called Idaten (いだてん) has begun on NHK:
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20170404/p2a/00m/0na/005000c
"The first half of the drama will tell the story of marathon runner Shiso Kanakuri, who became one of the first Japanese nationals to participate in the Olympics in Stockholm in 1912. The second half will feature Masaji Tabata, the coach who laid the foundations of Japanese swimming and helped bring the games to Tokyo for the first time in 1964."
The first episode, which introduced some of the characters and ended with Kanakuri, who was from Kumamoto, running a fast marathon in Japan, was broadcast yesterday but next week (Sunday 8PM, Jan 13th, NHK Sogo) the story of Kanakuri's life begins in earnest. You'll have lots of Kumamoto-ben to listen to. ;)
William has favored us with many posts about Kanakuri:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1395643790509049
In this post, William tells us about Kanakuri's very, very long race in Stockholm and how the KK in Kumamoto's "KK Stadium" is in honor of Kanakuri.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1805840712822686
More about that very, very long race (54 years, 8 months, 6 days, 5 hours, 32 minutes and 20.3 seconds) and other fun facts.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1856555721084518
Filming in Kuamoto and the meaning of Idaten.
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/2185660178174069
Kanakuri's birth place: Tamana.
Enjoy!
-- Summarized by Kirk
1964 Tokyo Olympics the theme of new NHK drama in 2019 - The Mainichi
1964 Tokyo Olympics the theme of new NHK drama in 2019 April 4, 2017 (Mainichi Japan) Japanese version From left, Sadao Abe, Nakamura Kankuro and Kankuro Kudo are seen at the press conference announcing the 2019 NHK historical drama at the NHK Broadcasting Center in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward, on April 3,...

Idaten (いだてん、韋駄天) was apparently a really fast deity in the Indian pantheon, comparable perhaps to Mercury/Nike. It was the nickname given to Kanakuri Shisou (金栗四三), known as the father of the Japanese marathon.
Idaten is also the name of the current Taiga Drama (NHK, Sunday, 20:00 - 21:00), which took up his story beginning yesterday. Coincidentally, he is from Nagomi, Kumamoto, which suffered from an earthquake a few days previous. You'll also recognize him as the logo of Glico products (see below, and his famous sign at Dotonbori in Osaka) and the origin of "KK" from "KK Wing." His story is fascinating. You can read it here to anticipate the series. - William https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shizo_Kanakuri

The other day, I wrote a bit about how a tsunami that hit Kumamoto after an eruption of the Mount Unzen in 1792 was discussed in the Japanese media as a previous example of the kind of tsunami that occurred in Indonesia:
https://openroadmedia.com/ebook/The-Big-Wave/9781453263570
Well, today I happened across some information about how a novel by Pearl Buck was based on that story. According to the following Japanese website, Ms. Buck heard about what happened in Shimabara and Kumamoto on a visit to Nagasaki and that led to write her book "The Big Wave" (Japanese text quote below).
https://rnavi.ndl.go.jp/kaleido/entry/82.php
By the way, I wondered if this book by Pearl Buck might have been responsible for the introduction of the word tsunami into English but a little Googling revealed that that honor is sometimes given to another person with connections to Kumamoto: Lafcadio Hearn (though there was another person who used "tsunami" in English a year earlier):
"The etymology sources I checked listed the earliest English usage of tsunami as being in 1897 when Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, a writer best known for his books about Japan, used it in Gleanings from Buddha Fields. "
https://grammarpartyblog.com/2011/03/22/tsunami-an-etymological-perspective/
Alas, the Kumamoto connections seem to end with Hearn's previous residence in Kumamoto -- he was not in Kumamoto when the book was published and the tsunami he wrote about occurred in northern Japan.
By the way, you can download the text of Gleanings from Buddha Fields for free on the internet -- it's in the public domain.
-- Kirk
「パール・バックはノーベル文学賞を受賞したアメリカの文学者です。昭和2年の夏に南京事件のほとぼりが冷めるまで中国を離れ、長崎県の雲仙に数カ月間滞在しました。その時に島原大変肥後迷惑の話を聞いて、The Big Wave（1947年）という子供向けの物語を書いたのではないかと言われています。」
The Big Wave

Yesterday I posted about an international manga festival that is held in Kumamoto:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/2338104969596255?__tn__=-R
Actually, it was this newspaper article that led me, indirectly, to that information. If you're interested in this newspaper article you should also take a look at yesterday's post, if you haven't already.
-- Kirk
Base for fostering manga artists set up in Kumamoto
KUMAMOTO — Nobuhiko Horie, 63, who was formerly the editor-in-chief of Shukan Shonen Jump, a weekly manga magazine for boys, has recently established a base to foster new manga artists in Kumamoto, the city from which he hails.

Kumanichi reports on the opening of "oyster huts" in the Ashikita-Minamata region. These are not where oysters lodge while out and about but where humans grill them over charcoal (if you're an oyster reading this, pay attention). The price is 1,500 yen per kilo, and other items such as crab are on the menu.
The article notes that the region began cultivating oysters in 2013 but gives no background, so here it is. In the 1930s, fishermen from Oregon were looking for a suitable oyster to cultivate and settled on a strain from Minamata, a small, hardy, sweet strain now known in the US as the "kumamoto oyster." In the 1960s, due to over-harvesting and pollution, the strain went extinct in Japan. In 2013, oyster seeds (that's what they call 'em) were repatriated from Oregon to the Yatsushiro Sea and had reached sufficient size from last year for human munching.
Several such hut clusters exist. Drive or take the Orange Railway. - William
濃厚な味、八代海の幸　津奈木漁協などカキ小屋開設 - 熊本日日新聞 ｜ This Kiji
八代海に臨む「オイスターバル」でカキを焼く来場者＝津奈木町　熊本県水俣・芦北地域で冬恒例となっているカキ小屋が５日、津奈木、芦北の両町を皮切りに営業を始めた。土・日曜、祝日に４月ごろまで続く。 　同地.....