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An addendum to the below post - I found that that wooden base used to hold mochi (or other items offered ritually) is called a 三方 (sanpou - literally, "three sides" as it generally has holes only on three sides). A typical Tsukimi arrangement would look as such. - William
Google reminded me that today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which, Wikipedia cryptically notes, "is held on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Han calendar—essentially the night of a full moon—which falls near the Autumnal Equinox (on a day between September 8 and October 7 in the Gregorian calendar)." I guess that means the nearest full moon either prior to or following the equinox, which is next week; this year, the festival is much earlier than usual. In Japanese, it can be called 中秋 (Chūshū - Mid-Autumn); however, 月見(Tsukimi - Viewing the Moon) is more common. Another term is 中秋の名月(Chūshū no Meigetsu), which can be translated as "harvest moon."
Also known as the Moon Festival, it is wildly popular in other Northeast Asian countries but only mildly so in Japan. As clearly there are rabbits making mochi on the Moon, that is a common theme; some put out decorations of ススキ(pampas grass) and stacks of mochi. Despite the lack of celebration, this evening should be clear enough to provide some excellent Moon-viewing opportunities. Happy Tsukimi to our readers! - William
An update on Typhoon 18: If it moves as expected, it should cross southern Kyushu Sunday evening. The good thing is that it's moving quite rapidly; the bad thing is that a typhoon has again chosen a weekend. Why can't they visit on weekdays and leave us Sunday for play? -- William
Here's a map showing the school's location in Kumamoto City:
https://goo.gl/maps/N9BY4tD5wMM2
-- Kirk
http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201609140040.html
30,000 wishes to rebuild battered Kumamoto form origami castle：The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--Thirty-thousand white paper cranes form a “floating” sculpture of Kumamoto Castle, a poign
Kirk had recommended the Yanaba in Kosa Machi below, as do I - used to take my kids there when they were tots. If you do venture out there, here are three other nearby attractions that very much deserve a visit. First is the onsen Samata no Yu, which has both inside and outside baths. Be sure to take some time walking the grounds along the river to enjoy the view.
http://samatanoyu-misato.jp/
Second is Futamatabashi, one of a collection of bridges a short walk downstream from the onsen. These bridges, which date respectively from the Edo, Meiji, Taisho, and Showa eras, demonstrate how Japanese engineering has progressed. In particular, the Futamatabashi is famous for the heart-shaped shadow it casts when the sun is in the right position in the morning. http://www.town.kumamoto-misato.lg.jp/q/aview/72/1056.html
Finally, there is the Shakain Misakayū Hodō, better known as 3,333 dan, or 3,333 steps - one of the longest stairways in Japan (or THE longest, if you take them at their word). If you have not climbed this wonder, you should. It starts from a narrow valley and ends at the Shakain Temple at the mountaintop; in fact, there are quite a few more steps than 3,333, but you'll stop counting after a bit. The views are incredible, and autumn is the best season to visit, with changing leaves, persimmon trees, and pleasant temperatures. http://kumanago.jp/event/?mode=detail&id=430000000299
So - do the stairs, take an onsen, have some fish, and head home - a very busy but unforgettable day trip. Please let us know if you have any questions about these locations. - William
石段の郷 佐俣の湯
※ご予約は6ヶ月前の日の10時より、お電話にて受付いたします。 『例』6月3日の予約は、12月3日の10時よりお電話にて受付開始。尚、その日が休館日に当たる場合は、翌日の10時に両日の受付を行います
If you're bored and want something to worry about, keep an eye on Typhoon 16. There is no reason to be concerned at this point, but I know you will be anyway. - William
http://www.jma.go.jp/en/typh/1616.html
About a week before the earthquakes hit I posted this message about inexpensive mobile phones. Since then, I bought a SIM-free (unlocked) phone and got service for my daughter through R-Mobile. All in all, we've been quite pleased. One problem is that getting things set up can be a little confusing even if you understand Japanese and I haven't been able to find good support in English. (This is quite ironic in view of Rakuten's fame for having made English the official company language: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2015/05/23/editorials/rakuten-forges-ahead-english/) Still, the price is right and I think their contract terms are much better than AU or other major providers for those who don't plan to be here a full two years. We were also pleased to find that we could use the phone to place calls when traveling outside of Japan. The cost per call is fairly high but if you only need to make a couple of short calls ("Please come and pick me up" etc) it's fine.
If you have any information about good phone deals, please share them here.
-- Kirk
In regard to a possible connection between the recent earthquake in Korea and the seismic activity we have been experiencing here in Kyushu, I think this map is instructive.
-- Kirk
http://earthquaketrack.com/kr-10-busan/recent
Earthquakes in Busan, South Korea - Most Recent
Epicenters and Locations of the Latest Quakes Near Busan, South Korea
The article does not include any speculation of a possible connection with seismic activity in Kyushu, but I image there may be some such connection. If you look at a map of the area, you can see that this part of Korea is relatively close to Kyushu.
Last month, we had some visitors from Korea at my university (Kumamoto Gakuen U). They came to learn about the earthquake and how we have responded. I remember being surprised to hear from one of the visitors that Korea doesn't have earthquakes (or that they are extremely rare).
-- Kirk
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2016/09/116_214014.html
Strongest-ever earthquake hits Korea, tremors felt nationwide
A 5.8-magnitutde earthquake, the most powerful seismic activity here since 1978 when the nation started measuring tremors, struck the historic city of Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, at 8:32 p.m., the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said Monday. It occurred about 50 minutes after a 5....
The most recent edition of "'Safe and Secure' Disaster Response/Living Information E-mail Magazine" from the International Center includes these suggestions regarding places in Kumamoto City that children may in enjoy:
*Tsuruya Department store 6F Children’s play area “Piccolo’s Forest”(6F behind the toy department) https://www.tsuruya-dept.co.jp/index.html (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian)
There is a slide, play house toys, toy trains and children can also watch cartoons on screen. They also have a nursing room, baby changing tables, feeding chairs, free hot water for milk formula. (Open hour: 10a.m.-7p.m./ 10a.m.-7:30p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays)
*Kagawa Bicycle Shop KIDSLAND Namikizaka (Kamitori Namikizaka area, 2F or Kagawa Bicycle Shop) http://portal.kumamoto-net.ne.jp/kosodate-ouen/service/pub/detail.asp?c_id=7&pg=1&a_id=5&mst=&o_id=598&s=c (Japanese)
There are some rides and toys for children. They also have a rest stop, baby changing tables, free hot water for milk formula. (Open hour: 10a.m.-6p.m.)
*Kumamoto City International Center 2F Child’s Room
http://www.kumamoto-if.or.jp/default.asp (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean)
We have a fenced play area for infants. Children can play with wooden toys and blocks, stuffed animals, cartoon DVDs. We also have a nursing room and baby changing tables, free hot water for milk formula in the same building. (Open hour: 9a.m.-8p.m.)
Why don’t you visit these play areas with your children on weekend?
Roof tiles from Kumamoto Castle to be sold, given to donors：The Asahi Shimbun
KUMAMOTO--As it starts down the long road to rebuilding damaged Kumamoto Castle, the Kumamoto city g
Kirk here with some more information I received in an e-mail (“Safe and Secure” Disaster Response/Living Information E-mail Magazine) from the International Center:
KIF Japanese Information
*Nihongo Club
Date and Time: Tuesdays from 10:00~11:30
Wednesdays from 10:00~12:00, 14:00~16:00, 18:30~20:00
Sundays form 10:00~12:00, 14:00~16:00
Let’s study Japanese for daily life!
Feel free to contact us if you are interested.
Target: international citizens of Kumamoto city
Expense: 100 yen (1 day)
*Japanese class in Musashi-gaoka and Kengun
How about joining a Japanese language class right in your own neighborhood?
Musashi-gaoka: Tuesdays at Kyaroppia (Hikarino mori town center) from 10:00a.m. to 11:30a.m.
Kengun: Tuesdays at Kengun Bunka Hall from 10:00a.m. to 11:30a.m.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact the Multicultural Affairs Office (2F) at Kumamoto City International Foundation (Kumamoto City International Center).
(TEL) 096-359-4995 (9a.m.〜8p.m.)
(e-mail）[email protected]
Here's an announcement about an event at the International Center in downtown Kumamoto.
-- Kirk
P.S. Here's some information about this that I received in an e-mail (“Safe and Secure” Disaster Response/Living Information E-mail Magazine) from the International Center:
Mental health counseling event for foreign residents
You may have some worries about yourself and your family after the Kumamoto earthquake. You can join with your child, family, friends, or by yourself. Why don’t you come and share with us how you feel, do yoga, receive massages, and relax with herbal tea! (FREE EVENT)
Time and date: 22nd September (Thursday, Autumnal Equinox Day) 1p.m.-2:45p.m.
Place: Kumamoto City International Center B2F Recreation Room
Capacity: 20 people
Application: to Kumamoto city International Foundation by phone or e-mail
(TEL) 096-359-2121(9:00〜22:00)
(e-mail) [email protected]
Please inform us with your name and the number of participants (how many children you are bringing and their age if you are going to join with your children.)
JFA makes ¥30 million donation to quake-hit Kumamoto Prefecture | The Japan Times
The Japan Football Association on Thursday donated over ¥30 million ($295,000) to Kumamoto Prefecture after it has been struck by two massive eart
Kagoshima's newly elected governor has been doing his best to shut down the Sendai reactors, which are very close to Kumamoto's southern boarder.
-- Kirk
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2016/09/09/national/kagoshima-governor-hints-dropping-action-halt-nuclear-reactors/
Kagoshima governor hints at dropping action to halt nuclear reactors | The Japan Times
Kagoshima Gov. Satoshi Mitazono suggested Friday he may give up on his pursuit to have Kyushu Electric Power Co. immediately suspend the operation of two r
The car you see in the photo is being offered for sale on the Kumamoto-i mailing list.
Please subscribe to the mailing list directly to get real-time email notifications about items put up for sale.
-- Kirk
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/kumamoto-i/conversations/messages/13415
Yahoo! Groups
The photo you see is from an old post about a RKK television program introducing F Rene Saint-Laurent's work as a volunteer fireman. I'm posting today to tell everyone that KAB will broadcast another program about our favorite fireman on Monday, September 12th, beginning at 4 in the afternoon:
http://tv.so-net.ne.jp/schedule/157384201609121600.action
The Japanese blurb about the show indicates that an Israeli who is working to establish himself or herself as a farmer here in Kumamoto will be also be introduced.
特集は、熊本に住む外国人に密着する。南阿蘇村のカナダ人消防団員や将来は熊本で農家を目指すイスラエル人を紹介、彼らの思いを伝える。
Now, to set the timer on my dvr . . .
-- Kirk
This Mainichi article indicates that the typhoon caused little damage, though parts of Kumamoto experienced very heavy rain.
-- Kirk
http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160905/k00/00e/040/188000c
台風１２号：九州、大きな被害なく 土砂崩れなど警戒続く - 毎日新聞
台風１２号は５日未明に長崎県に上陸したが朝には熱帯低気圧となり、幸い大きな被害は確認されていない。だが、九州北部や山口県ではなお大雨の恐れがあり、土砂崩れなどへの警戒が続いている。
