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As of today, it has been 7 months since the start of the quakes here. Sadly, the anniversary has coincided with a serious quake in New Zealand:
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-37970775
-- Kirk
New Zealand hit by second strong quake - BBC News
A strong earthquake hits New Zealand hours after a 7.8 magnitude quake killed at least two people.

Kirk wrote below about the awesome dampening effect the gooey magma chamber of Aso had on the recent rupture of the Hinagu and Futagawa faults; the article was based on this report published in the journal Science. The full report is available here. (Kind of a double-edged katana: coulda been worse; might get worse!) - William
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/early/2016/10/19/science.aah4629.full

Here's a fairly recent article about a topic that was introduced earlier on this page.
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201611060010.html
Mt. Aso stifled Kumamoto earthquake, scientists say：The Asahi Shimbun
Kumamoto Prefecture apparently dodged even greater destruction from recent powerful earthquakes than

More castle news. Most are likely aware that the castle tower (天守閣, てんしゅかく) was destroyed by fire during the Seinan War in 1877; the current structure, composed of ferro-concrete, was built in 1960. Kumamoto City is currently in negotiation with construction giant Obayashi Gumi for restoration of the keep. Obayashi Gumi has provided a comprehensive proposal covering exterior, bridge, and wall work with one interesting twist: Making the keep barrier-free. The plan would be to install a ramp into the basement floors of both keeps and an elevator to the first floor of the small keep and the sixth of the large to enable barrier-free access to the panoramic viewing area. (The article does not mention if said elevator would stop at each floor, but it probably would.) The article notes that the keeps of Osaka, Nagoya, and Okayama castles - all reconstructed - are the only in Japan currently equipped with elevators.
Kato Kiyomasa would be impressed.
http://this.kiji.is/169620239616329206?c=92619697908483575
【熊本城のいま】（20）エレベーター案で議論も - 熊本日日新聞
天守閣に車いす用のエレベーター設置案が浮上している熊本城。復旧のひとつの議論になりそうだ＝１０月１１日（小型無人機から）　熊本市が２０１９年までに復旧を目指す熊本城天守閣（同市中央区）。市は、大手ゼネコンの大林組九州支店（福岡市）と復旧事業...

Damage to Kumamoto Castle walls linked to 1889 Meiji temblor | The Japan Times
Nearly 80 percent of the walls at Kumamoto Castle destroyed by Kyushu's earthquakes in April had also been damaged by a strong 1889 earthquake that struck

That was a nice quake! Kinda made me all teary-eyed with nostalgia. JMA puts it at a M4.2 centered in Uki. - William
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/quake/6/740/20161111101640495-111012.html

11月12日（土曜日) 2:00-5:00 熊本学園大学　14号館高橋守雄記念ホールで、熊本地震復興応援シンポジウムと展示会「熊本と世界を繋げた人々」が開催されます。
横井小楠、矢島楫子、リーロイ・ランシング・ジェーンズは熊本・日本の近代化に大きく交換した人々であり、熊本地震でそれぞれの記念館が大きく被害されました。
参加無料ですので、興味ある方は気軽にご参加ください！

Recent news got you down? Perhaps a nice beer would help.
-- Kirk
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/11/09/business/corporate-business/suntory-restarts-beer-output-plant-quake-hit-kumamoto/
Suntory restarts beer output at plant in quake-hit Kumamoto | The Japan Times
Suntory Beer Ltd. partially resumed beer production at its factory in Kumamoto Prefecture on Tuesday, nearly seven months after strong earthquakes hit the

I wrote about this earlier but now I can introduce this English article.
-- Kirk
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2016-10-31/one-piece-campaign-raises-money-to-revitalize-kumamoto-prefecture/
One Piece Campaign Raises Money to Revitalize Kumamoto Prefecture
Trains and One Piece-related rewards for philanthropy

I've received an interview request from RKK. They are interested in what foreigners living in Kumamoto think of the election results. I don't presume to speak for the entire community so I suggest you chime in here. I'll give RKK the URL to this post and they may (it's up to them, of course) choose to use images from this in their TV broadcast. As they probably won't have time to translate a lot of sophisticated commentary, I would suggest a thumbs up or down or a sticker and a brief reason for your reaction.
-- Kirk

I was on TKU News tonight and got asked about the election result. I'm sorry if you disagree with the opinion I expressed.
-Noel

This Asahi news item includes the video, which shows the inside of the castle.
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201611070063.html
Peek inside Kumamoto Castle shows massive damage：The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--In a glimpse of the difficult reconstruction ahead, video images of the interior of the ma

Earlier today Joe posted about a symposium "on some of the early pioneers of internationalization here in Kumamoto, L. L. Janes, Yokoi Shonan, and Yajima Kajiko":
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/1190843200989110
That reminded my that I had seen news about the rebuilding of the Janes Residence for about 5 million dollars US:
http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/kumamoto/article/287517
The article says that they need to study the remains in order to rebuild it faithfully and that they hope to actually begin construction in 2020. Before it was destroyed in the earthquake, the Janes Residence was the oldest Western-style structure in Kumamoto Prefecture. I was first built in 1871 then moved to its current location in 1970. The following site says that carpenters were brought Nagasaki, where they had worked on the Glover residence, to build the Janes residence. The Glover residence has outlived its younger cousin and is the oldest Western-style wooden structure in Japan.
http://www.japanvisitor.com/japan-museums/janes-residence-kumamoto
-- Kirk
ジェーンズ邸復旧に５億円　熊本市方針
熊本地震で全壊した県指定重要文化財の洋学校教師館「ジェーンズ邸」（熊本市中央区水前寺公園）を管理する熊本市は７日、...

Joe Tomei here
This Saturday (12 Nov), there will be a Symposium on some of the early pioneers of internationalization here in Kumamoto, L. L. Janes, Yokoi Shonan, and Yajima Kajiko. The symposium starts at 2 and goes to 5:30. The event will be at the Takahashi Morio Hall at Kumamoto Gakuen University, and admission is free.

Today, November 7, marks the first day of winter (立冬, りっとう） according to the traditional calendar. Kumanichi reports that migratory birds have been flocking to Lake Ezu to spend the winter; apparently, some 3,000 birds of ten species winter in the area. You'll likely see flocks in V-formation flying overhead; visit the lake in winter and the warmth of the water relative to the early morning air leaves it covered with a layer of mist. - William
http://kumanichi.com/news/local/main/20161107001.xhtml
きょう立冬　渡り鳥のシルエット優雅に　江津湖－熊本のニュース│ くまにちコム
熊本日日新聞社が取材した熊本のニュース。新聞紙面に掲載前の記事もお伝えします。

As some of you probably know, Kumamoto University now has a Global College, in which classes are taught entirely in English (or at least that's my understanding). Cultural festivals are in full swing at many universities in Kumamoto and the global college has three events going the you can participate in tomorrow. First, from 10:00 to 11:30, there will be a bilingual (English and Japanese haiku event. Second, from 11:30 to 13:30 you can learn to make Korea food (but you may need to register in advance for this). Third, from 13:30 to 15:30 there will be an event related to Natsume Soseki with intercultural games.
Actually, the event started today. Sorry this announcement is so late. I hope those of you who are interested can participate tomorrow (Saturday, the 5th).
-- Kirk
Contents
Friday November 4, Saturday November 5
“Natsume Soseki Haiku Relay ①” (10:00 – 11:30)
・Enjoy reading haiku written by Natsume Soseki and winners of the International “Kusamakura” Haiku Competition in both English and Japanese! (Haiku will be prepared for you to read)
・Participants will receive a prize after reading!
“Learn How to Make Traditional Korean Food” (11:30 – 13:30)
・Watch and learn as Korean international students make toppoki, sudubu jigae, and chijimi!
・Enjoy eating the food afterward!
“Natsume Soseki Haiku Relay ②” (13:30 – 15:00)
Other Events　(All Day)
Traditional games will also be held throughout the day. Feel free to join any time!
Presentations about study abroad will also be held throughout the day.
http://www.c3.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/en/2242/
内容
11月4日（金）、5日（土）
「夏目漱石の俳句音読リレー①」(10:00 – 11:30)
・夏目漱石の俳句集と「草枕」国際俳句大会入賞作品の中から5句選んで、英語と日本語で読んでみよう！！（俳句集は用意しています）
・参加者全員景品ゲット！
「韓国の家庭料理を作ってみよう」 (11:30 – 13:30)
・熊本大学の韓国出身留学生がトッポギ、スンドゥブチゲ、チヂミの作り方を教えます！
・試食もあります
「夏目漱石の俳句音読リレー②」(13:30 – 15:00)
その他　(終日)
国際交流ゲームなど自由にご参加ください！
学生による留学体験紹介もあり！

http://www.c3.kumamoto-u.ac.jp/2076/
403 Forbidden

A new mini video in the series about Aso Shrine is now ready to view and share! Please make sure you watch the video on YouTube,as this is how the 0.1¥ per view donation to Aso shrine from various advertisers is generated.
-Posted by Charmaine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2aZj4badso&list=PLbxBXy6IJCdd2pSwdmVZOJj1PhgLrW35a
阿蘇神社 災害復旧工事着工 Aso Shrine Restoration -Taking on the Challenge-
皆様にご心配いただいておりました阿蘇神社の災害復旧工事は１１月１日より本格的に着工する運びとなりました。楼門はおよそ1年をかけて解体工事が行われ、拝殿に関しましては年内には解体が完了する見込みです。今後も皆様の変わらぬご支援を賜りますよう心よりお願いを申し上げます。 ※この動画の再生中に広告が表示されます。その広...

Higo temari are decorative balls unique to Kumamoto and associated with Hina Festival (ひなまつり 、雛祭り). Our friend AnnMarie spotted one with a more modern Kumamon motif. The video linked below shows how they are made. Fun fact! - they serve well as Christmas ornaments and thus make excellent presents for the folks back home. - William
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdajfFJAVQo

"Following the biggest tremor, the number of displaced people surpassed 180,000. At one time, there were 855 shelters that had sprung up around the prefecture." -- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201611010061.html
All Kumamoto shelters for quake evacuees to close for good：The Asahi Shimbun
MASHIKI, Kumamoto Prefecture--Six months after a series of earthquakes devastated the region, three

Someone had asked if there was a "Trap neuter release" program for stray cats in Kumamoto. This vet is doing this from Nov 22nd- Nov 28th. You'll need to make a reservation though. Check out this site for information.
-- Levy
http://ryunosukeah.wixsite.com/boxryunosuke