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If you're interested in tea . . .
http://youtu.be/NcSgh4OX4FU
Organic Tea Farming in Kumamoto
In Kumamoto Chikitea had the opportunity to travel high up into the beautiful mountains and visit an organic tea farmer. We were treated to home made green t...

On Tuesday (I first wrote "Monday" but Tuesday is correct) the 26th, the PM2.5 level for Arao was 82 -- more than double the recommended upper limit of 35. The government is telling people to stay inside when levels are double the limit of 35 but the problem is that it's hard to know the levels in advance. By the way, when Arao reached it's high, Mashiki (near Kumamoto City) was 51 -- well over the upper limit.
http://taiki.pref.kumamoto.jp/kumamoto-taiki/taikiHourItem/020/taikiHourItemvalueindex.htm
http://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/43/kankyoutaikiosen.html

This cycling event will begin in Itsuki Mura (place where bungy jumping will be done) on March 17. There's a category for JCF members and one for the general public, including kids.
http://kumanago.jp/topics/?mode=detail&id=869
九州チャレンジサイクルロードレース２０１３参加者募集 旬便り 熊本県観光サイト　なごみ紀行　くまもと
「火の国」くまもとの雄大な自然の中でゆったりのんびりくつろぎませんか。くまもとの多彩な観光地、美味しい特産品や伝統ある工芸品、イベント、キャンペーン、グルメなど盛り沢山の情報をご紹介した熊本県観光サイト・なごみ紀行です。

I saw something about this on national TV news the other day.
http://www.japantoday.com/smartphone/view/national/kumamoto-mascot-character-more-popular-than-ever
Kumamoto mascot character more popular than ever
Kumamoto's mascot character "Kumamon" is proving more popular than ever after winning the title of Japan’s most popular mascot in…

Here's more on the smog in China. As many of you know, there are concerns about the effect of Kyushu:
http://youtu.be/2sSGZaskZG8
Cancer-Causing Photochemicals Found in Beijing Smog
It turns out this wasn't your ordinary smog. The Chinese Academy of Sciences said on Saturday the super thick air that chocked Beijing in January was packed ...

Kumamon's sales are up!
http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/2013/02/210182.html
'Kumamon,' popular mascot for Kumamoto | Photos | Kyodo News

This is one of my favorite places in Kumamoto. It's a little be out of the way (tiny roads make you think you've lost your way) but worth it.
http://japantourist.jp/view/shiraito-falls
Shiraito Falls
The beautiful Shiraito Falls lie hidden in a glen just minutes from Kumamoto Airport

This book has just come out. I have a chapter in it called "Kumamoto General Union Vs. The Prefectural University Of Kumamoto: Reviewing the Decision Rendered By the Kumamoto District Court". I don't have my own copy yet but should receive it soon. I'll also try to get the library at my university to buy a copy or two.
Native-Speakerism in Japan by Stephanie Ann Houghton, Damian J. Rivers - Multilingual Matters | Chan
Native-Speakerism in Japan by Stephanie Ann Houghton, Damian J. Rivers

The other day I wrote some comments about the problematic nature of Fukuoka City's description of the idea behind it's own "Kawaii Ward": http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=440586742681430

Well, it's a good thing I took a screen shot of that web page for posterity (or at least for use in my own class discussions) because Fukuoka City has replaced it with a few lines that repackage the idea in a gender-neutral way.

A video about bungy jumping in Itsuki
http://youtu.be/0oaQpLERToE
5,4,3,2,1 Bungy....
I created this video with the YouTube Video Editor (http://www.youtube.com/editor)

Bungy jumping returns to Itsuki Village between March 16 and 31:

http://kumanago.jp/topics/?mode=detail&id=859
and
http://www.bungyjapan.com/

Kumamoto’s Ultraman Land to Close | Fukuoka Now
Your guide to the best of Fukuoka!

A few days ago, I forwarded something about criticism of Fukuoka's Kawaii (or "Cute") Ward (カワイイ区):

http://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/344291785681115

Today I happened to take a look at Fukuoka City's web site looking for other information and noticed that Kawaii Ward is feature prominently. The page that explains what Kawaii Ward is opens with this sentence:

"「福岡は女性がカワイイ」福岡を訪れる人からよく聞く言葉です。"　("'The women of Fukuoka are kawaii [cute].' This is a comment one often hears from visitors to Fukuoka.")
http://kawaiiku.jp/about_kawaiiku

Here's a definition of "kawaii" in a dictionary I have:

"小さいもの、弱いものなどに心引かれる気持ちをいだくさま。"（"Attraction to things that are small and weak, etc."）

Toward the end of the "About Kawaii Ward" page, they say that it's not just about looks but rather about all aspects of one's being (ways of thinking, speaking and behaving, etc.) causing people to feel itoshii toward the women. Here's a definition of itoshii:

"大事にして、かわいがりたくなるさま。"
"Something or someone you want to take care of [kawaigaru]."

The example sentence is 「どの子犬も—•く思う」("We all want to take care of puppies.")

So, "women are small, weak, and need to be taken care of, and that's how we will promote Fukuoka." No wonder they are being criticized! This is the best example of what is problematic about Japan's cult of cuteness that I have come across.

St. Patrick's Day Parade 2013
http://www.worldirish.com/story/22402-st-patricks-day-parade-2013-kumamoto-city-kyushu-japan
St. Patrick's Day Parade 2013 Kumamoto City, Kyushu, JAPAN! - WorldIrish
Come celebrate St. Patrick's Day the Irish way in Kumamoto, Japan!! This year the 7th St. Patrick's Day Kumamoto Parade will be held on Saturday, 16th March.Let

Can anyone recommend a good dentist? Here's an inquiry posted on this page earlier today:
http://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/435052116568226

Cherry blossoms are forecast to arrive in Kumamoto on March 24th.
http://fukuoka-now.com/news/kyushu-cherry-blossom-forecast-announced/
Kyushu Cherry Blossom Forecast Announced | Fukuoka Now
Your guide to the best of Fukuoka!

Giraffe in Kumamoto Zoo is nation's oldest:
http://fukuoka-now.com/news/oldest-maasai-giraffe-in-japan-has-died/
Oldest Maasai Giraffe in Japan Has Died | Fukuoka Now
Your guide to the best of Fukuoka!

This article describes "one of Kumamoto-jo’s coolest secrets – a hidden restaurant on the second floor of the Honmaru Gozen [sic: "Goten"] Palace that serves food from the Edo era (1603-1868)."
http://uncoveringjapan.com/2013/01/30/good-eats-honmaru-palace-restaurant-kumamoto/
Good Eats: Honmaru Palace Restaurant (Kumamoto)
If you're ever in Kumamoto, it's a crime not to see one of the top three castles of Japan. I've already been there three times but it wasn't until recently that I discovered one of Kumamoto-jo's co...

Here's a little something for Kumamon fans:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKG9QZ7TQlI
ここは"くまモン県"？ ～みんなに愛されるくまモン～ Our Beloved KUMAMON.
2011年、「ゆるキャラグランプリ」で日本一になったくまモン。県の"営業部長"としての活躍もめざましく、県内はもちろん、県外でも大人気となっています。くまモンはなぜ、みんなに愛されるのか？くまモンの魅力に迫るとともに、街中がくまモンで溢れ返るサプライズな県、「熊本県」の盛り上がりを紹介します。 Is this '...

Here's another version of the same video with English narration.