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Hi! Kirk here! Sorry for neglecting the page for so long. Thanks to William and Joe for keeping the flow of information going in my absence.
On the news today, I heard that Mars is very close to the earth. I went outside and, sure enough, the red planet was clearly visible. This photo doesn't do it justice but if you can set outside this evening I think you'll enjoy the cool breeze and the view of Mars, which is considerably brighter than normal.

From the Kumamoto International Told-Ya-Ism Desk: As we forecast, the typhoon path forecast has been revised such that it passes directly over Kumamoto at midnight Monday. With any luck, it'll continue tracking southward to our friends in Kagoshima (those responsible for burning down the castle in the first place). - William

Joe Tomei with the Friday Funky Places report. While Friday is associated with fish for Catholics, this week's FFP is for the carnivores among you. Higo Bar is a place I have passed by any number of times and looked into longingly, but was dragged in by the President of NanKyu JALt, Branden Kirchmeyer, to whom I'm eternally grateful. It is located just inside Kamitori, a hop, skip and a jump from Densha Dori. The first floor, Higo Bar and the 2nd floor sukiyaki restaurant get their meat from a butcher at the other end of kamitori by the branch of Higo Bank down there.
The google map for Friday Funky Places is located at
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing

A note from the Kumamoto International We Wouldn't Wish This on Anyone yet Better Them than Us Desk: Typhoon #12 seems to be tracking southward from its predicted course. Originally expected to whack Tokyo, it now seems set to whack Kyoto instead. This leaves the slight chance that it may whack something further south, such as us.
Whatever it whacks, it will whack this weekend. Be aware. - William

This photo of donjon reconstruction is on the cover of the most recent Kumamoto Living Newspaper; it was so stunning that your faithful correspondent tracked down a (unfortunately cropped) online copy for your pleasure. Enjoy. - William

Recently, we posted a painting by animator Yamamoto Shizo of Kumamoto Castle and mentioned Kumamoto Art Museum's upcoming exhibition of 200 pieces of his sketches, backgrounds, and image boards for such Ghibli movies as 「火垂るの墓」("Hotaru no Haka," Grave of the Firefly) and 「もののけ姫」("Mononoke Hime," Princess Mononoke).
The museum has issued a 16 second ad for the exhibition (7/28 - 9/17) which can be viewed at the link courtesy of Kumanichi. - William
日本のアニメーション美術の創造者　山本二三展 | 主催事業 | 熊本日日新聞社
　アニメーションの美術監督である山本二三（にぞう）は、昭和28(1953)年長崎・五島列島生まれ。昭和52(1977)年、テレビ・アニメーション「シートン動物記・くまの子ジャッキー」で美術助手、翌年制作の「未来少年コナン.....

Hate to trouble you with more bad news but another Masai giraffe, Koharu-san, has died at Kumamoto zoo. She was only 11 (about 30 in human terms) and was due to give birth to her second calf in a month when she began to show signs of lethargy, refusing to eat or leave her pen, until she collapsed last night. Veterinarians standing by did what they could but to no avail. A zoo staff member was quoted: "In addition to the burden pregnancy causes, the intense heat might have been a factor."
With the death of her mate, Riki, last November, this leaves the zoo with a single giraffe - Akihira, now two years old and the sole child of Koharu and Riki. A picture of the three in happier days is shown at the link. - William
マサイキリン「小春」死ぬ　熊本市動植物園 - 熊本日日新聞
２１日に死んだマサイキリンの小春（上）。手前は地震後に生まれた秋平＝２０１７年１月、熊本市動植物園　熊本市東区健軍の市動植物園は２２日、飼育していた雌のマサイキリン「小春」（１１歳）が２１日朝に死んだ...

This from MIFA (Minamata International Friendship Association)
=======
Good afternoon Kumamoto!
I’d just like to let you know about a great event coming up organised by Minamata City and MIFA. Perfect if you’d like to get out of the office during the summer!
You are invited to The 2nd International Cafe in Minamata on Thursday, August 23rd 2018 10:30am-3pm. Explore Minamata, have fun and meet people from all over the world!
What: 2018 International Cafe in Minamata
When: Thursday, August 23rd 2018 10:30am-3pm
Attendance fee: only 500 yen! (includes light lunch, drinks and insurance)
Participants: Foreign residents living in Kumamoto, Minamata High School and local junior high school students.
Please see the flyer attached for more information and the sign-up form.
We hope you can attend!
Note: There will be a round trip charter bus from Kumamoto City to Minamata City available. From other locations, you will be responsible for your own transportation to Minamata.
Please direct questions and registration to Greg in the Minamata City Office at [email protected].

Famed actor Tokita Fujio (常田 富士男) has passed away at the age of 81. Though he had appeared in many Kurosawa films, he was best known for voicing "Manga Nippon Mukashibanashi" (まんが日本昔ばなし, Animated Japanese Fables) along with actress Etsuko Ichihara (市原悦子). This delightful series of short animations was broadcast for two decades from 1975 and invariably began with Tokita-san intoning, 「むかーし、むかしのことじゃったぁ」("This is a tale from long, long ago.")
Born in Nagano, Tokita-san moved to Minami Oguni as a child, which no doubt left a deep impact on his imagination and is likely reflected in the series. He then attended Seseko High School before moving to Tokyo to pursue his acting career but most certainly always remained a Higokko (肥後っ子, Kumamotoite).
On a personal note, I often watched reruns of the show with my children when they were young and my knowledge of Japan was poor and remember them quite fondly - I even bought a set of VHS tapes. Fortunately, many episodes are available on Youtube; just copy-paste まんが日本昔ばなし for some classic summer entertainment. Below is a clip of Mukashibanashi's theme song.
Sayonara, Tokita-san, and arigatou. - William
P.S. - link to your favorite episodes in the comments section if you'd like.
（時報入り） まんが日本昔ばなしＯＰ
テレビ黄金時代の番組スタートシーンです。毎週土曜夜7時。時報と共に、いきなり始まるアニメーション。声優がたった二人という超珍しい作品。

Yamamoto Nizou (山本二三), a famed animator and early collaborator with Miyazaki Hayao, has produced a work as contribution to the recovery of Kumamoto entitled "Ah, Kumamoto Castle" (あぁ、熊本城) portraying an image of the reconstructed castle. Apparently, he visited Kumamoto in April and created the piece while perched on a buildingtop at Tourichosuji. The B4-sized illustration will be on display at the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum main hall from July 28 through September 17 in addition to some other 220 pieces of his work, so if you're an anime fan, you really ought to visit. Link below from the Kumanichi. - William
夏雲従え堂々の熊本城　アニメ美術監督・山本さん作品展で披露 - 熊本日日新聞
山本二三さんが特別制作した風景画「あぁ、熊本城」　アニメーション美術監督の山本二三［にぞう］さん（６５）＝埼玉県＝が、熊本地震から復興した熊本城を描いた風景画「あぁ、熊本城」を完成させた。熊本県立美術...

Joe Tomei with a zeitaku na (luxurious) Funky Friday Place, which is the restaurant Matsuba. It is located in Shinmachi just a stone's throw away from the Senba Bashi tram stop and was formerly a ryokan. I was fortunate enough to visit there the other night with Takara sensei, the former vice-governor of Okinawa. The kamisan came out and talked about the history of the place, and later her husband came out and talked about the history of Shinmachi. The building and the grounds are exquisitely maintained and the food was fabulous.
The google map for Friday Funky Places is located at
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing

Our friend and favorite chef Sean Benward has passed on this notice from the US Embassy in Tokyo regarding an event where US citizens can direct their questions live via Facebook. The text is as follows:
Message for U.S. Citizens: "Ask the Consul" Facebook Live Event on U.S. Citizen Services - July 20, 2:00pm
Attention, U.S. citizens in Japan! Wondering how to get a new passport for some summer traveling? Not sure how to get a ballot to vote in the midtermscome November? Worried about typhoon season and earthquake preparedness? If you have questions, we have answers! Consular officers from U.S. Embassy Tokyo will be holding an “Ask The Consul” Facebook Live event on 20 July 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time. Feel free to bring your questions about the American Citizen Services we provide. We look forward to talking with you! Note that we cannot answer or comment about specific cases for privacy reasons. If you’d like send us a question in advance, email [email protected] “Facebook question for July 20” in the subject line. Go to the U.S. Embassy ACS Tokyo Facebook page for more information, to watch and engage!

Out at about 6:00 tonight, I noticed an unusual cloud that I knew to be a rocket contrail (they're occasionally visible from my my California hometown due to a nearby Air Force base). Rocket contrails in the evening sky reflect sunlight that the earthbound horizon has already rotated away from due to their great height; hence, their sharp contrast. The uneven pattern does not reflect the direct path of the rocket but rather windshear on the contrail. Such sights are only visible when a rocket is launched just prior to dawn or after dusk.
It was clearly south-north directed - i.e., from Tanegashima, where most Japanese launches are conducted, so I didn't panic (if the direction had been reversed, I would have).
Unfortunately, I had no camera, but it looked a bit like this photo I snatched from the Web. Did any of our readers spot it and manage to capture an image? If so, please post it below. - William

Kumamoto Airport has long been criticized for its poor access. A decade ago, talks existed regarding a monorail linking the airport with JR's Sanrigi station, but those talks were frozen in 2008.
With the impending privatization of the airport by three companies and a major overhaul of facilities expected by 2022, talks between these companies and the Kumamoto Prefectural government regarding the monorail have recently started. Kumanichi has at the link an image of the proposed monorail route. - William
空港アクセス 議論再燃　ＪＲ延伸、モノレール敷設…　民営化で熊本県が検討　多額の費用 - 熊本日日新聞
　民営化を機に熊本空港利用者の増加が見込まれる中、熊本県は熊本市中心部との交通アクセス改善策の検討を１０年ぶりに再開した。長年同空港はアクセスが弱点とされてきただけに、鉄道など公共交通機関の新設を含め...

NHK news reports that 22 students cheering a high school baseball game at Fujisakidai Stadium were struck with heat stroke and taken to hospital; also, four students practicing volleyball at Lutheran High School suffered the same fate.
One plus of having your children graduated from high school is that you no longer have to go to sports events in the summer. Everyone, take care of yourselves.

When the moon passes through the Earth's shadow, a lunar eclipse occurs. The name for this in Japanese, "gesshyoku" (月食) is delightful, literally meaning "eaten Moon" (the equivalent for solar eclipse is "nissyoku - 日食). The Moon is still visible as its transit allows some direct light, and even when totally masked, light bends, giving the Moon an eerie reddish cast: hence its English nickname, "blood moon." One will occur on Saturday, 7/28, and will be visible from Japan (assuming it's not cloudy).
But you'll have to get up early in the morning (or stay up late, kinda like watching the World Cup): It begins around 02:30 and ends around 04:30 as the moon sets (look west). Maybe get up early and then go back to bed. The attached chart is based on Tokyo time, but Kumamoto should not be much different. - William
Eclipses visible in Tokyo, Japan - Jul 27, 2018 Lunar Eclipse
Which upcoming lunar and solar eclipses are visible in Tokyo, Japan and what do they look like?

"Hizashi" (日差し) is a rather interesting word probably best translated as "sunshine" or "sunlight". For example, "yowai hizashi (弱い日差し) is "soft sunlight", while "aki no hizashi" (秋の日差し) is "autumn sunlight."
This being summer, the phrase "hizashi ga tsuyoi" (日差しは強い) - the sunlight is glaring - is quite common. I've lived in many places as hot as Japan, but nowhere where the 日差し is so 強い. (This may be why Japanese tend to have very thick eyelids and narrow, dark eyes - all of which I lack.) I've noticed that neither my dog nor I are much affected by the heat, but we're both quite affected by the 日差しの強さ.
Stifling weather is expected to continue in Kumamoto for the foreseeable future. My advice is to stay out of the sun. - William

In 1876, Japan abandoned the Chinese lunar calendar for the Gregorian, and the populace, being mostly concerned with basic survival issues, were mostly like, "meh." Some holidays were switched to a fixed date, notably New Years, while some were not - and to add to the complexity is local custom; as a result, many holidays are celebrated at different times in different locations.
Which brings us to Obon (お盆), which rivals New Years as the most important Japanese holiday. Most Kumamoto people residing on the plains celebrate Obon from July 13, while those in mountain regions do so in early August. The holiday's purpose is to welcome home the spirits of one's ancestors and is often accompanied by sweets placed on the family alter (butsudan, 仏壇 - apparently, deceased spirits like sweets) and lanterns to help guide them home. Three days following, celebrations are often held to see off the departed. These are often conducted by placing candles on floating objects which are placed in a river or in the ocean; the event is called "lantern-floating" (とうろうながし、灯篭流し, though the tradition has faded as concern over resulting pollution has arisen).
As such, July 15 will see a progression of candle-lit objects down Tsuboi River, and August 15 the same in Kawashiri. The scene is quite touching, and if you're a photographer, you should head out. Below is an example shot snatched from the Web. - William

Joe Tomei with a Friday (that I forgot to post last night, whoops!) Funky places post.
I have to confess, the Starbucks across the street from my employer has turned me into a Starbucks guy, but it would be remiss of me to fail to note that there are now more coffee places in town than you can shake a stick at, and many of them are deserving of the Funky appellation. So last week, I wanted to check out a place at the end of the covered section of Kamitori called Joe's Coffee on the assumption that given my name, I would receive the VIP treatment. However, Joe's Coffee has been replaced Cafe Switch and it now features a barista and some quite nice sandwiches. I didn't introduce myself as things were rather busy.
Of course, everything is Kumamoto is connected and this Cafe Switch is apparently a branch of a second Cafe Switch discussed in this article
http://voyapon.com/kamitori-kumamoto-shopping-arcade/
whose facebook page is at
https://www.facebook.com/%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7-%E3%82%B9%E3%82%A4%E3%83%83%E3%83%81-Cafe-switch-242233185837679/
The article notes that "they also offer their own latte art courses to the general public, for any baristas-in-training who may be interested."
The google map for Friday Funky Places is located at
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1qUH94Bac7Hr939b7_8gtvebaJZffGRsX&usp=sharing

We had posted on June 7 a beautiful photo taken by our friend Yoshiko Toyama of one of the roads that access Ariake Sea. Apparently, many of these roads were crippled by the quakes, including one crucial for the nori harvest located in Uki Town's Sumiyoshi Machi - this is the intersection between the sea and Midorikawa, a main river of Kumamoto.
The road, known as Nagabetakaisyouro (長部田海床路［ながべたかいしょうろ］- try saying that really fast!), had lost its power pillars and thus night lighting, crucial for cars navigating at nighttime low tides. The night road has also been a magnet for photographers. Kumanichi reports that all 24 pillars and ancillary infrastructure have recently been restored. Google Map the location for some wonderful evening/nighttime photography. - William
「海上の絶景」復活　宇土市の長部田海床路 - 熊本日日新聞
夕焼けを背景にした長部田海床路。電柱に照明が点灯する＝宇土市昨年の台風で折れていた電柱が復活した長部田海床路。沖合約１キロまで舗装路と電柱が続く　沖合に向かって舗装路が延びる宇土市住吉町の長部田海床路...