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Hi! Here's a recent post about an employment opportunity. -- Kirk
The Kumamoto version of the Sumo Run For Fun event described here
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201707310023.html
will be held on October 22nd in Minami Aso. It seems that you need to pay 6000 yen to cover both entry and costume fees.
-- Kirk
https://irorio.jp/nagasawamaki/20170923/418564/
お相撲さんのスーツを着て走る「スモウラン」について、スモウラン実行委員会に取材した。 南阿蘇で「スモウラン」開催へ 熊本県南阿蘇村で10月22日（日）に仮装マラソンイベント「スモウラン」が開催される。 力士を模したスモウスーツを着て走るチャリティーイベントで、村内のコース3.33キロメートルを絶景を楽しみなが
We share a lot of information on this page. That's good in a way, but it can also make it a bit hard to find information about events among all of the other posts. For that reason, I decided to begin organizing event information on a simple Google spreadsheet that I've made public. The entries are organized by event date and only brief summaries and links to posts about the events are provided. It's very simple (and so I hope it will be easy to maintain) but I hope you find it to be useful. If you notice that I have left out any events that you think should be included, please point that about in a little comment to this post.
-- Kirk
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1m0Cdax8HBG-E3OQr3sElW1glnqRUxEy_hz29-kRYaos/
Y'got your weasel family and y'got your bear family, but where raccoons fall in the evolutionary tree is unclear: they share closer physiology with the former but genetics with the latter (note: they are not to be confused with the tanuki, or raccoon dogs; both are basal canids with no close relation to extant species). Consequently, despite their irresistible cuteness, intelligence, and adaptability, the reality is that they are ferocious omnivores who WILL get their way, always, one way or another. And they bite and scratch and carry rabies and fleas and will finish off your crops in one night, from your tubers to your fruit.
Japanese authorities thus do what they can to prevent their spread here, but their efforts are no match for the siren song of kawaii, which creates a market of would-be owners for smugglers or domestic breeders. These owners then invariably dump their pets in the countryside with utmost haste the moment their cute kits reach sexual maturity and abruptly go total Mr. Hyde.
Anyway, the Kumamoto Department of Environmental Symbiosis (seriously - I didn't know the 環境共生課 existed either) is in a tizzy as one was recently spotted in Ueki, closer to downtown than previous sightings in Yamaga, Tamana, and Uto, raising fears that they'll soon follow the trail of twice-weekly garbage bags into town. There's really no way to eradicate an established raccoon population, so we'll just have to learn to coexist. If you see one, though, stay clear and maybe notify the authorities.
Below: Cuddly raccoon kit and the same species 18 months later - William
https://this.kiji.is/286680770097005665?c=92619697908483575
Amounts of memory on electronic devices tend to increase by powers of two (2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, etc.). This page went from 1,600 last year to 3,200 this year. If there's a social networking equivalent of Moore's law, I guess we should expect to have 6,400 likes sometime next year. Well, that may not be in the cards, but, nonetheless, I'm glad to see the number of likes increase. Thanks for your support! 今後とも、よろしくお願いします。
-- Kirk
This is another article about an issue we have already discussed. See
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1594921240581302
and
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1595233820550044
This new article offers a few more details but, unfortunately, it's the same sad story.
-- Kirk
Rare volcanic rocks destroyed in Kumamoto rebuild effort：The Asahi Shimbun
MINAMI-ASO, Kumamoto Prefecture--Oblivious construction workers destroyed part of a rare 50,000-year
Here is a link to a rather bizarre cowmercial featuring milk from Kumamoto.
http://www.newsonjapan.com/html/newsdesk/article/121207.php
-- Leanne
Giant nipple squirts milk from U.F.O. in crazy Japanese commercial
Milk-giving alien cow nipple is everything we’ve come to love about ads in Japan.
Kumamoto's "baby hatch" is unique in Japan. The goal is to save the lives of infants but this article raises concerns about possible unintended consequences.
-- Kirk
47% of infants left in Kumamoto 'baby hatch' were birthed without medical care - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- A little under half of the mothers who have left infants at the
Have you recently misplaced a bas relief statue of Buddha? If so, the one the police at Kitakumamoto Police Station (to be renamed "Chuo Police Station from 10/1, BTW) are in custody of might be yours. It seems someone in Kitasako Town found the wayward Buddha abandoned in an irrigation canal, and with none of the area residents claiming it, the statue was turned over to the police. "It certainly is unusual for a Buddha statue to be turned in to lost and found. We hope this is not a result of a crime," a police spokesman spoke.
Defining features:
- Standing on lotus flower, wearing look of infinite serenity and compassion;
- 50cm tall, 20cm wide;
- Engraved with the date 寛延三年四月十九日, or April 19, 1750 based on the Gregorian calendar;
- Contains such characters as "myo" (「妙」, wondrous) and "ei" (「榮」, respect).
If this Buddha looks familiar to you, the police request you contact them. If no claimant comes forward, the statue will be put up for auction, and if no bids are received, it will be disposed of. I'll see if I can find more info about the possible auction for our bas relief Buddha statue collectors out there.
Below is a photo of the statue (left) and an illustration of what happens to one who steals a Buddha statue (right). - William
https://this.kiji.is/285945255677117537?c=92619697908483575
According to this TV report (click on the image to view a video), heavy rain in Amakusa yesterday caused some flooding. I saw it on a national news program I recorded last night. I hope the damage hasn't been too bad.
-- Kirk
熊本・天草市で激しい雨、道路は冠水 住宅も・・・｜ニフティニュース
大雨で一面が冠水した道路。これは熊本県天草市の午後３時ごろの映像です。雨水は住宅の玄関の入り口まで押し寄せ車のタイヤは半分ほど水に浸かっています。 天草市本渡では午後６時までの雨の量が１０２ミリを観…
Joe Tomei here. A friend of mine in Niigata has adopted two children and she's currently setting up a group to help foreigners (and Japanese) exchange experiences or find out how to adopt/foster a child here in Japan. You can read about it here
https://savvytokyo.com/fostering-japan-part-deciding-expand-family/
Unfortunately, it is much much harder to adopt/foster a child in Japan for a number of cultural reasons. However, it can be very rewarding. If you'd like to join the group, please contact me offlist and I will put you in touch with her. email me at tomeiter [at] gmail.
Fostering In Japan Part I: Deciding To Expand The Family - Savvy Tokyo
Like adoption, fostering a child is a long process that involves careful planning, complicated procedures and adaptation that affects every family member. In these three-series we follow Melodie and her family on their journey from deciding to foster a Japanese girl, to meeting her and raising her a...
Hi! This is a repost of a survey request from Ryohei Matsumoto. He's added some questions about the attributes of those who answer. If you have a minute and wouldn't mind helping an earnest student with his studies, please fill out the form.
-- Kirk
Hi!I'm Ryohei Matsumoto. I'm a fourth year student at Kumamoto Gakuen University. I'm writing graduation thesis. The research content is the difference of personality and culture. Please answer these question. I need to your cooperation!1=strongly disagree 2=disagree a little 3= neither disagree nor...
My wife's grandmother, Kikukawa-baachan, and uncle have lived in Yabe forever, so I've spent much time there over my 25 years in Japan, and during that time, absolutely nothing has changed (although grandma has cut back on her gardening; she is 97, after all). The locals, invariably rice farmers, are as conservative as they come. If a new rice cultivation practice is suggested, for example, they'll collectively remember that so-and-so-san had tried that to poor results back in 18, requiring one to confirm the reign era (18 what? Meiji? Taisho? Showa? Heisei?) - these people have long memories, so one can never be certain.
And they drink. A lot. Of shochu. Why not? - between sowing and reaping and during the winter, there's not much to do aside from gossiping about Kikukawa-baasan's exotic grandson-in-law - and drink. A favorite local brew is Tsujun Syuzou (通潤酒造), utilizing the crystal spring waters and golden rice of the region. The brewery is inviting guests in October to help hand-harvest rice and enjoy a BBQ, sake, and beer afterwards. The cost is 2,000 yen, and reservations are required. One can get there by bus from Kotsu Center. Info is below. - William
http://shop.tuzyun.com/html/page13.html
Here's another Arita event to add to your calendar - Arita's annual autumn pottery festival! The festival runs from November 22nd to 26th and features a huge lineup of events, including open days at some of the town's traditional brick kilns, walking tours around the city, beautiful fall foliage, a pottery bazaar, kids' activities, and food. I would especially recommend a visit to the brick kilns. The potters are always eager to talk about the history and tradition of their work.
According to legend, Arita-yaki, Arita's traditional form of pottery, has a history dating back to the mid 1600s. Arita-yaki is known for its quality and bright colors and remains famous across Japan. Many potters who live there today still hand-shape their wares and decorate them with paints made locally using many of the same methods that were used several hundred years ago.
Arita itself is beautiful, and I'm not surprised that its soft hills and rivers still attract many accomplished artists. I've been to the pottery festival that Arita holds during Golden Week and the bazaar stretched for blocks and blocks through the center of town. When I left Japan, I left with a whole suitcase just filled with Arita-yaki.
Aside from a great day out, the autumn festival would be the perfect place to get Christmas gifts!
At the top of the webpage you'll find a PDF version of a brochure, including a handy map. I've included a link here as well:
http://www.arita.jp/pamphlet/data/aki_2017.pdf
Please let me know if you're interested but don't read Japanese, and I'd be happy to provide more information! Also, please share your experiences here if you do end up going, as I don't currently live in Japan and want to live vicariously through you. ;)
-Grace
第13回秋の有田陶磁器まつり｜有田観光協会 ありたさんぽ
有田観光協会ホームページ「ありたさんぽ」。イベントや観光施設、オススメコースを、有田焼からグルメまで情報満載。ぜひ有田へお越しください。
Autumn marks the sudden (and perhaps to some, alarming) appearance of the jorōgumo (女郎蜘蛛, L. Nephila clavata), literally "prostitute spider" due to the female's bright colors. They've been around since spring, but the females explode in size during this season as they prepare to mate and bear eggs; males are half or less the size and can often be seen on the periphery of the female's web contemplating their fate: attempt to mate and risk being eaten, or contemplate a bit longer. Perhaps the males are also contemplating this: In Japanese folklore, the jorōgumo female may change her appearance to that of a beautiful woman so as to seduce men whom she then binds in her silk and devours - except it's not innocuous folklore to these suitors but hard reality unless the mating dance is concluded flawlessly.
Orb webs of female jorōgumo can reach one meter in width, and their structures are unusual: in addition to the central orb, there are layers of irregular, thick, criss-crossed silk on either side, probably to slow down autumn's large prey.
You will know immediately if you've walked into such a web. The following is advice based on experience:
1. If only partway through the web, back out.
2. If fully crashed through the web, do not panic.
3. Look back at the web's wreckage to see if the spider is still there; if she is, water helps in removing the web from your face, clothing, and hands.
4. If she is not there, she may be on your body (though she also may simply have dropped from her web, but this is not the time to be complacent). Feel free to panic by jumping about while vigorously rubbing every surface of your body.
Below are photos of an exceptionally large female (or a very small hand); in human form, seducing a male; and with two male spiders, both in deep contemplation. - William
The "Tokyo Reporter" publishes it's articles on a really sleazy website so I hesitated to share this but the article itself seems to be accurate. The crime occurred in the Higashi-ku (East Ward) of Kumamoto City.
Here's a link to a Japanese article about the same incident:
https://breaking-news.jp/2017/09/18/035369
-- Kirk
http://www.tokyoreporter.com/2017/09/22/kumamoto-man-used-cord-to-strangle-wife-to-death/
"I flew into a rage and strangled her" | The Tokyo Reporter
Kumamoto: Man used cord to strangle wife to death
“'There isn’t much room left for Kumamon’s popularity to grow in Japan. We want it to depart from being a local mascot and instead make anime for a worldwide audience and then to milk that for all it’s worth,' said Tomoko Takahashi, an anime producer at leading advertising agency Asatsu-DK Inc. and KumaLab member."
This article is accompanied by a video you may enjoy as well.
-- Kirk
Kumamon plots global takeover to avoid slipping in popularity：The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--Kumamon rules. A household name in Japan, the bear seems to have his paws in everything, e
A note from our friend Evelyn Martinez. I will certainly attend and hope to meet many of our Kumamoto Internacionalistas there. Bring something yummy for the potluck! (You can pick something up at Sun Live.) - William
The Mexican community in Kumamoto is organizing an event for this Saturday (September 23) to collect donations for the victims of the earthquake that hit Mexico yesterday.
Many people lost their homes, more than 250 people perished, and many more are still trapped under collapsed buildings.
We in Kumamoto recently experienced a quake of nearly identical size and received help from many parts of the world. Now it is our time to give thanks by giving back.
Place: Tamukae Kouminkan (next to Tamukae Shrine)
2 Chome-7 Tamukae, Minami-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto-ken 862-0962 (¡Copy-paste to Google Maps, or see the map below en español!)
Time: Saturday, 9/23. From 12:00 pm, we will have a pot luck lunch; from 14:00pm, Mexican folk dances and piñata will be held on a stage.
We invite you to join us enjoy Mexican culture and help victims of the Mexican earthquake.
Entrance is free, though there will be a donation box for those who wish to contribute.
All donations will be deposited with the Mexican Red Cross.
No parking is available, but the Kominkan is a 10 minute walk from Sun Live Kumanan, which has ample free parking.
On behalf of the Mexican community in Japan, thank for your generosity. - Evelyn
Tamukae Shrine
2 Chome-7 Tamukae, Minami-ku, Kumamoto-shi, Kumamoto-ken 862-0962, Japón
I think this is a good introductory article for readers who are learning about congenital Minamata disease for the first time and also a good update for those already familiar with the topic. By sure to check out the slide show included with the article.
-- Kirk
More than 60 years on, Japan's mercury-poison victims fight to be heard
Shinobu Sakamoto was just 15 when she left her home in the southern Japanese fishing village of Minamata to go to Stockholm and tell the world of the horrors of mercury poisoning.
