Guided tour at Suizenji Jyoujuen
Posts
Kumamoto Autumn Sake Festival 2023
Kirk here. I wrote earlier that Mr. Kihara (politician from Kumamoto who has become defense minister) has a reputation of being quite conservative. He's also considered to be very pro-Taiwan, as this article indicate. HIs pro-Taiwan stance no doubt has something to do with the growing importance of Taiwan to Kumamoto's economy but I think it's fair to say that it's also an extension of his view of China as a threat to Japan and of Taiwan as an ally in that context. I don't know the details about his proposal that "Japan use 'counterattack capabilities' to resist a People's Liberation Army (PLA) invasion" but I hope his hawkishness on China doesn't lead to an escalation of tensions.
Kirk here. A while back I complained that the prefecture's website doesn't seem to have a section devoted to providing information to foreign residents. Since then, I've learned that the prefecture has a "Kumamoto Support Center for Foreign Residents" and that such information can be found there. Here's the address of the Facebook page:
William Personal note: I've been somewhat disabled with a knee injury and have become addicted to spy/action novels (Tom Clancey and the like). If any have some to give/trade, I would be grateful.
江津湖トリック＆トラッシュハロウィーンパーティー
Kirk here with news for sunflower fans. The place is Minamiaso and the photo was taken on the 12th.
William A friend had mentioned that he'd signed up for Kumamoto Marathon. Aside from its high entry fee (14,500円! - that's an expensive T-shirt), their desire to make it a fast, easy to maintain course means it is incredibly boring.
Fireworks in Asagiri Machi
William Times are one wants free money and might be tempted to make it oneself. Kumanichi reports on the arrest of four Vietnamese nationals (coulda been any nationality - counterfeiting knows no borders) in Nagasu who attempted to exchange six "old" ￥10,000 notes (the ones with Fukuzawa Yukichi, a Meiji era philosopher and the founder of Keio University) for new ones (which also feature Fukuzawa but add additional patterns and security features) in Tamana. Apparently, the suspects imported 100 counterfeit old 10,000 yen bills from Vietnam to Fukuoka Airport. In 2024, we'll see an entirely new ￥10,000 note featuring Shibusawa Eiichi, known today as the "father of Japanese capitalism."
Kirk here. In addition to the availability of lots of clean ground water and proximity to Japan, TSMC seems to like Kumamoto because of its assessment of the local work ethic:
Kirk here with a share from Explore Kumamoto. This is just one of several posts I'm tempted to share. If you're not familiar with the page check it out. There have been some interesting posts about Yamato-machi recently (Tsujunkyo, Gorogataki, the Hassaku Festival etc.).
William A bit of history regarding the Autumn Great Festival (or Boshita, or 藤崎八旛宮秋季例大祭): apparently, its roots go back to a type of festival known as "Hojo-e" (放生会), which (somewhat ironically given allegations of cruelty towards the horses) was held with the aim of ``having compassion for all life, admonishing killing, and giving thanks for the autumn harvest.'' This in turn comes from the principle of non-killing in East Asia's Mahayana Buddhism. Memorial services held during this period included those for such animals as those killed due to unavoidable circumstances and dead pets. Records appear to exist dating a Hojo-e held in Fukuoka in 919.
The Fujisaki Hachimangu festival got started yesterday with lion dancing (shishimai; 獅子舞), a 400-year-old tradition. Then, the lions went around biting (or pretending to bite) people. Getting bitten by a lion is considered to be good luck. The idea seems to be that the lion is eating any evil spirits that might be attached to you -- kind of like a monkey picking bugs off another monkey for lunch. But, some kids who got bitten weren't buying it. ;)
英国フェア
Jazz Performance
英国フェア
Kirk here with news about a run-away iguana.
Kirk here reporting that KIHARA Minoru (Kumamoto) is Japan's new Minister of Defense.
Kirk here with pedestrian crossing (oudan hodou; 横断歩道) news. Drivers are required to yield to pedestrians waiting at a crosswalk not governed by a traffic light. However, it has frequently be pointed out on this page that not all drivers will stop for you. But, you may have noticed that the situation is improving; I've certainly noticed a change on my daily walks. The graph shows the increase percentage of drivers who stop, as required, at crosswalks. The numbers start in 2018, where those who stop properly are clearly in the minority. By 2022 the figure for Kumamoto in 57.3%, considerably higher than the national average of 39.8%.
