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The typhoon has made landfall on Kagoshima. It will probably hit Kagoshima and Oita harder than it will hit us, but this does not mean that people in Kumamoto have nothing to worry about. Some rivers in the southern part of the prefecture are near flood level. Take care!
-- Kirk
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/suigaimesh/flood.html

On September 6th, RKK's "JUST" (their evening news show) aired a segment about the establishment of "Kumamoto International School," led by Matthew Ohm. Mr. Ohm also runs Picasso International School, an English-language preschool. There are several English-language preschools in Kumamoto but many years have passed since the last international elementary school in the prefecture closed. Currently, it seems that the majority of the parents who are interested in enrolling their children are Japanese people who would like their children to become fluent in English but, of course, the school may also be a good choice for the children of expats.
According to the RKK report, there are plans for the establishment of international junior and senior high schools to allow the children to continue their education in English.
-- Kirk
P.S. I wish I could link to the video but it seems to have been deleted from RKK's website. When the program was aired, I had just left the country and have only now had time to view my recording of the news program.
School Vision | Kumamoto International School
From the principal In April, 2018, we will begin the next leg in our journey as a school. Picasso was founded in 2003 in downtown Kumamoto, on the third floor of an office building with no playground. We began with fewer than 15 students, and my own son was one of our first three graduates. In 2006,...

The storm is on our doorstep. The image you see represents current wind strengths according to http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com as of 5 AM Japan time. The site says that we are highly likely to experience tropical storm winds in the next 12 hours. The path is slightly to the south of us, which is good. Earlier this year we experienced a typhoon that came in just to our north, which caused it to have an impact that was disproportionate to its basic strength. Still, it's hard to know just how bad or mild the situation will be here. Right now it's fairly calm (light rain, not much wind) but that will change -- the only question is how much.
-- Kirk

The image is of a Google translation of evacuation information on a Yahoo page. It's hard to know just how bad or how mild the storm will be here in Kumamoto but it's better to err on the side of caution, especially if you are in a vulnerable area. Take care!
-- Kirk
https://crisis.yahoo.co.jp/evacuation/43/

Kumamoto City is the first municipality in the nation to say "no" to government calls for an evacuation drill in preparation for a possible missile attack from North Korea. Mayor Onishi has explained that he made the decision not to hold such a drill, in which sirens would blare and J Alerts would be sent to mobile devices, because he deemed it more important to avoid traffic accidents that might result from confusion caused by such a drill, which was to be scheduled for November:
"大西市長は「訓練のサイレン音やメールで交通事故などが起きるのを避けるため中止した」と説明しています。"
http://rkk.jp/news/index-google.php?id=NS003201709151940110111
Personally, Mr. Onishi's position makes a good deal of sense to me. I suspect that the government's call for drills is largely an attempt to be perceived as taking some sort of action, regardless of how much practical benefit can reasonably be expected from the action. Such a drill might function to heighten fear and thus make people more inclined to rally around (or at least not oppose) the government but do little to actually promote public safety. Given the current mood in the country, I think that, politically, it would have been easier for the mayor to go along with the proposed drill instead of refusing to participate. I admire the courage Mayor Onishi has shown in this regard.
-- Kirk

Rescheduled for October 9th due to the typhoon.
-- Kirk
藤崎宮秋の例大祭2017は台風接近の為“順延”引用元：http://fujisakigu.or.jp/藤崎八幡宮の公式HPからのリリースによりますと検討の結果、台風18号の進路・勢力等を考慮し本年の神幸式を延期する事と決定致しました。ちょうど開催日の17日に最接近してしまった台風18号。引用元：https://news

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/09/14/national/kumamotos-shattered-pottery-reborn-wajima-lacquer-twist/#.WbsM6q2B364
-- Pasted by Kirk
Akira Otaguro was organizing an online photo exhibition of pottery works with a potter friend in Kumamoto Prefecture when a series of powerful earthquakes

Gakuendai Fuzoku Koukou (学園大付属高校) is the high school attached to Kumamoto Gakuen University, where our fearless editor-in-chief, Kirk, who teaches in the Economics Department.
The high school is famous for its summer uniform, a crisp light-blue linen-like one-piece with a white sailor collar and sleeve stripes as it is "fresh and cute". The uniform is not only popular among the students; it was recently selected of all female HS uniforms nation-wide as ideal for fictitious productions such as movies and TV shows.
A movie playing during the first week of October at Denkikan called "Harahara Nanoka" (はらはらなのか, Aren't You Excited?) prominently features the uniform. The school's alumna club aided production by collecting over 40 uniforms from school graduates for use in the movie. The movie's producer remarked, "The audience has commented favorably on how cute the uniform is." The photo below is from the movie.
So there you go: if anyone ever asks you what the cutest uniform in Japan is, you'll have an informed answer.. - William (Disclaimer: My son's girlfriend is a graduate from that school.)
学園大付の夏服「かわいい」　映画の衣装に／テレビでも紹介 - 熊本日日新聞
学園大付高の制服が衣装として使われている映画「はらはらなのか。」の一場面　（Ｃ）２０１７「はらはらなのか。」製作委員会学園大付高の女子夏服。女子１期生がデザインしたワンピースは、在校生にも人気という＝熊本市中央区　学園大付高（熊本市中央区大...

As William has already pointed out, a typhoon is approaching. TropicalStorm.com says that we are very likely to experience tropical storm winds by Sunday. Of course, wind is not the only threat; storm surge and heavy rain can also be dangerous. Take care!
-- Kirk
http://www.tropicalstormrisk.com

Typhoon update. While some forecasts show the typhoon passing over Kagoshima, JMA shows Kumamoto in the crosshairs. Either way is bad: the center gets stronger wind but less rain, the outer bands less wind but stronger rain - and typhoons coming from the west drop a lot of rain on the west side of the island.
Of greater concern: The typhoon has slowed down. Originally expected to come ashore Saturday morning, that time now appears to be Saturday evening; nighttime typhoons are a bit scary. Furthermore, as it meanders over the warm East China Sea, it is strengthening - from a projected 960 HPa yesterday to 935 HPa today which, in meteorological terms, is friggin' strong. It also appears it will take its time over Kyushu, perhaps a full day.
Batten down, get your flashlights and board games out, order your pizza early - this looks to be a biggie. - William

For the past few weeks I've had a nasty cold, and it reminded me of my favorite sinus-clearing Japanese snack—karashi renkon (辛子蓮根)! Karashi renkon, which means “karashi (a type of mustard) lotus root,” is a Kumamoto specialty and has become a popular side dish at local izakaya. I’ve tried it in several varieties, from the traditional style pictured below to little fried nuggets of lotus root with pockets of eye-watering mustard tucked inside. I love the crunch of the lotus root and the sharp kick of mustard. It’s hard not to like the vibrant colors, too!
Apparently karashi renkon was first cooked up as a sort of home remedy for the things that ail you. It definitely puts a spring in my step. What are some home remedies from your hometown or childhood? When I had colds as a kid my mum would always make me hot honey, lemon and ginger, and even now that combination of smells still makes me feel at home. I think only wasabi trumps karashi renkon for clearing out your sinuses, though!
-Grace

This post is from last year. This year the main event will be held on the 17th (this Sunday). Here's a link to the official schedule (in Japanese):
http://fujisakigu.or.jp/reisai/nittei.html
======
UPDATE
======
Rescheduled for October 9th due to the typhoon:
http://higojournal.com/archives/fuzisakiguuakinoreitaisai-enki.html
-- Kirk
Festival Focus: Fujisaki Hachimangu (Kumamoto)
The leaves may not be turning until November, but Kumamoto likes to kick off the autumn early with the five-day fall festival at the city's Fujisaki Hachiman Shrine. While the weather may still be ...

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Lotsa ways one can say "nama ham" (生ハム) - raw ham, uncured ham, dry-cured ham, prosciutto; a word I just learned today is cortador, Spanish, referring to a chef who prepares the ham in thin slices and arranges them beautifully on a plate. The reason I bring this up is that a certain Mr. Jo Akihiro, proprietor/chef of the Spanish restaurant El Castillo (get it?! His name translates as "castle," so he names his restaurant "The Castle"! Ha ha ha!) on Shinshigai was runner-up in the all-Japan Cortador Competition held in recently in Tokyo and will thus, along with the winner (some guy from Osaka), represent Japan at the World Cortador Cup, to be held in Toledo, Spain at the end of this month.
Two points. One: I shoulda been a prosciutto judge - when I was in college, I didn't even know such a job existed. Two: I really, really want to visit his restaurant (新市街13−8 Azuma ビル2F). - William
生ハム切りの技で全国準Ｖ　熊本市のシェフ・城さん - 熊本日日新聞
生ハムの知識やカッティング技術を競う「コルタドール競技会」で準優勝した城章洋さん＝熊本市中央区　生ハムの知識とカッティング技術を競うコルタドール競技会（日本生ハム協会主催）がこのほど東京都内で開かれ、熊本市中央区新市街のスペイン料理レストラ...

Hmm. We seem to have another coming. Autumn typhoons can be rather powerful, so let's keep an eye on it, shall we? - William

Tangentially related to Kumamoto: Abnormally low tides portend imminent disaster. Both tsunami and typhoons tend to suck up a lot of water before suddenly spitting it back out. Below top is a photo taken in Tohoku shortly before the tsunami hit; bottom is one of two beached manatees in Florida - apparently, the water withdrew too quickly for them to follow (they're not the brightest of animals, but then, this is not a normal situation). Fortunately, both were quickly rescued by rolling each onto a tarp and dragging them them to a channel, from whence off they swam. The rescuers than rapidly got the hell off the beach.
Lesson: If you're at the beach and see something unusual like exposed tako pots or vast expanses of sand, head for the hills. Full article (and more photos) at the link: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/beached-manatees-rescued-low-tide-hurricane-irma_us_59b5b0b8e4b0354e44129193 - William

Personally, I am not interested enough in the inner workings of Sony's Kumamoto plant to read this long article carefully (about 2,700 words). Perhaps, however, there are some readers of this page who have some connection with the plant or other reason to be interested. -- Kirk
Inside Sony Kumamoto: A rare glimpse inside Sony’s super-secret sensor factory
Back in early August, I had the very rare opportunity to tour Sony's sensor factory in Kumamoto, Japan. We had only limited access to the factory itself, but I learned a lot about Sony's sensor technology and fabrication…

Hurricane Irma is poised to rake the entirety of Florida from south to north. This reminds me of the deadliest non-earthquake related disaster in Kumamoto in modern times: a massive storm surge that left 31 dead and 1,211 injured, destroyed or heavily damaged almost 4,000 homes, and flooded 21,000 homes.
Typhoon 18 ("Jake") came ashore over northern Kumamoto on September 24, 1999 with a barometric pressure of 930 hectopascals, dragging behind it a large storm surge. The peculiar characteristics of Yatsushiro Bay - south-facing with a very gradual slope and narrowing width - funneled the surge into a tsunami-like wave that barreled through the sea until it hit the cul-de-sac, the fishing town of Shiranui (不知火 - interesting name). This phenomenon has occurred in Shiranui periodically through history. Images of the surge and its aftermath are shown below.
Best wishes to the people of Florida from your friends in Kumamoto. - William

This movie will be shown in Kumamoto on Oct 9th at the follow event:
-------- start quote --------
Diverse Family Film Festival in Kumamoto
「いろんな家族の映画祭in熊本」
Organized by
Diverse Family Film Fest. in Kumamoto Project Team
Time:
October 9, 2017 (Mon.) 10am-4:30pm (doors open at 9:30am)
Location:
Kengun Lutheran Church
(2 Chome-1-3 Shinsei, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture)
In front of “Kengun Koban Mae” tram station
http://kengunlutheranchurch.blogspot.jp/p/blog-page_21.html）　
　Schedule:
9:30am Doors Open for the Morning Session
10am Film “The Case Against 8”
12-12:30pm Legal Explanation of “The Case Against 8”
12:30-1:45pm Social Lunch Meeting (free of charge)
Members of LGBT groups in Kumamoto, as well as from other part of Kyushu, will introduce themselves and their activities.
You can bring your own lunch or purchase a bento box from “Makanaiya Matsu” at the venue. Please purchase a lunch ticket (700 yen) in advance if you’d like to purchase for sure, because of a limited number of lunches available.
1:45 Doors Open for the Afternoon Session
2-3:30pm Film “Gaby Baby”
3:30-4:30 Talk Session “Diverse Families ~ Changing Kumamoto to a city where we can love who we love ~
A man who has a same-sex partner and a woman who is raising children with a same-sex partner in Kumamoto will share their experiences and thoughts about their lives.
Admission:
Free for elementary school or younger
One film ticket 1200yen, Lunch ticket 800yen
Advance: Whole day ticket (2 films and lunch) 2500 yen, One film ticket 1000yen, Lunch ticket 700yen
-------- end quote --------
This English explanation has been copied from
https://www.facebook.com/events/140436666515227/
Please go to the event page for more information.
-- Kirk
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3898028/
Gayby Baby (2015)
Directed by Maya Newell. With Matt Young. GAYBY BABY follows the lives of four kids - Gus, Ebony, Matt and Graham - whose parents all happen to be gay. As they each wrestle with personal change, the outside world wrestles with the issue of marriage equality, and whether or not kids of same-sex famil...

We had an inquiry about where to rent a kimono. There are lots of places in Kumamoto that provide this kind of service, though I don't know if any have English speaking staff. Here's a link to a Google map showing the locations of many stores in Kumamoto City:
https://goo.gl/PPHN9x
-- Kirk