Posts

Kirk here with some sad news about the death of Yashiro Aki. Her stage name was an adaptation of the name of her hometown, Yatsushiro. :(
Aki Yashiro, Enka Singer and Painter, Dies at Age 73; Known for Hit Songs “Funauta” and “Ame no Bojo”
Aki Yashiro, an enka singer and painter known for hit songs such as “Funauta” and “Ame no Bojo,” died on December 30 last year. She was 73.

Kirk here with another story about MATSUNAGA Genrokuro (松永源六郎), who has, for many years, been educating groups of foreigners as well as Japanese about traditional sword-making methods and swordsmanship. In this picture, the woman attempting tameshigiri (the art of target test cutting) is from France. Unfortunately, this article is behind a paywall but I'm glad to see Mr. Matsunaga getting recognition in the media nonetheless. The headline points out that he has been doing this for 40 years now. I have enjoyed visiting him, as I know that many other readers of this page have.
I read in the Asahi Shimbun (to which my wife and I subscribe) that he received the "Prefectural Culture Award" (熊本県民文化賞) in 2007.. Here's a ChatGPT translation of the summary of the award (taken from the Prefecture's website): "a commendation project conducted by the prefecture, aimed at recognizing and encouraging the achievements of those who have contributed to the promotion of the prefecture's culture. This initiative serves to foster cultural activities in various parts of the prefecture, ultimately contributing to the enhancement of the prefecture's culture."
I'll put a link or two to previous posts about Mr. Matsunaga in a comment.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/soshiki/22/329.html
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/1163859/
熊本・荒尾の刀工房訪日客次々　受け入れ40年　刀匠・松永源六郎さん　「伝統への理解広げたい」 | 西日本新聞me
日本刀の美に海外からも熱視線－。熊本県荒尾市川登の刀匠、松永源六郎さん（75）の鍛冶工房に、インバウンド（訪日客）の見学者が次々に訪れ...日本刀の美に海外からも熱視線－。熊本県荒尾市川登の刀匠、松永源六郎....

William here with a note from "'Sup?" corner. In the runup to Valentine's Day, Daiso is selling bitter chocolate. Intended for baking, it is fabulous as is and the only time of year you'll find my favorite snack available anywhere, and at a bargain price. (Dark chocolate is said to be rich in plant chemicals called flavanols, antioxidants linked to a lower risk of heart disease.)

Kirk here. It was a nice day today so I enjoyed a stroll in the Ezuko area, which is a great place to observe waterfowl. I know that this is a heron and not a swan (the music I set it to) but I enjoyed the dance nonetheless. The heron didn't catch a fish while I was watching but I saw a cormorant (u or kawau in Japanese) dive down and then come up with a fish. Unfortunately, that was so unexpected that I didn't have time to pull out my phone.

William Semiconductor manufacturing requires a tremendous amount of pure water, something Kumamoto is famous for and a main reason why TSMC chose our town as location for its new fab. But pure water is not an unlimited resource. Kumanichi points out several steps planned to be taken to ensure resupply of Kumamoto's aquifers and aspects of its use. A few take-aways:
① The amount of groundwater extraction is projected to be about 3% of the greater Kumamoto City area - that is as lot.
② Water use is expected to be 12,000 cubic meters of groundwater per day - about 5 Olympic-size swimming pools every day all year.
③ Eleven municipalities have been designated as "priority areas" where groundwater levels are declining under the prefectural groundwater conservation ordinance in which area groundwater extraction will be regulated by the prefectural government and Kikuyo town.
④ The article notes, "In wells undergoing testing, not much of a drop in water levels due to water intake has been noted" (so they say - and "not much" is open to interpretation).
⑤ Growing severity of water shortages in Taiwan has been a major factor in the choice of Kikuyo, and TSMC is focusing on water recycling, targeting 70% - 75%.
⑥ Ancillary plants will require further water, though how much remains unclear.
⑦ On a positive note, farmers in the middle reaches of the Shirakawa River, mainly in the towns of Otsu and Kikuyo, will be payed to fill their farmland with water before and after planting to increase aquifer replenishment targeted at 416 hectares; however, due to a decrease in farming along with the aging society, only 362 hectares have thus far been secured. (Ironically, this could be good for Kumamoto rice farmers.)
⑧ The traditional May to October flooding of paddies may be extended to allow for greater percolation.
We will keep an eye on this and try to let you know what is actually occurring.
どのくらい地下水を採取するの？ 工場排水や水のリサイクルは??　経済記者がイチから解説「もっとよく分かる」TSMC⑤｜熊本日日新聞社
　台湾積体電路製造（TSMC）が菊陽町に建設中の半導体工場について、熊本県民の関心が特に高いのが「水」です。半導体は製造過程で大量の水を使うからです。熊本が誇る豊富な地下水が工場誘致の呼び水になった面もあ.....

William I live in a house which my wife's uncle built. Long ago, I had to pull up the tatami to install a satellite cable to my TV and found that he built like this: a frame atop multiple stones rather than atop a complete concrete floor. This allows the building to flex during an earthquake rather than collapse. All of the older shrines in your neighborhood likely incorporate the same principle: that's why they are old.
Our ancestors had that knowledge. Consider it when buying or renting a house.
https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/06/style/japan-earthquake-architecture-dfi-hnk/index.html

William Kumamoto received an unfortunate mention in a Kyodo article: "The earthquake is the first tremblor to kill more than 100 people in Japan since the 2016 Kumamoto quakes in the country's southwestern region that caused 276 deaths including those related to the disaster." https://japantoday.com/category/national/refiling-update4-woman-rescued-5-days-after-japan-quake-as-death-toll-tops-120#comment-4013232

Atsuko with lots of useful survival information.
This is not information about Kumamoto, but it is necessary information for neighbors and friends.
Please share it with your friends in there.🍀*゜
https://www.facebook.com/share/RZiAzkYWamKUyfJA/

Kirk here with old news. If you are planning to be in Kumamoto in November of next year (or any November in the future) and are interested in this festival you might want to mark your calendar. I've never been to it but it seems to be a big deal in Yatsushiro.
Kumamoto: Mythical Creature Dances for Shrine Festivalgoers
YATSUSHIRO, Kumamoto — The Kida no Mai, a traditional dance featuring the Kida mythical creature, was performed at a nearly 400-year-old festival of Yatsushiro Shrine in Yatsushiro on Nov. 23. The Kida is a creature which has the head of a snake and the body of a turtle. The dance performance is b...

I recently learned about the "Kumamoto Guru" site. I particularly like this post about Reigando. -- Kirk
Reigando Cave: A Secluded Samurai Meditation Spot - kumamoto.guru
So you’ve come all the way to Kumamoto City and want to visit Reigando Cave—the cave where Miyamoto Musashi spent the final years of his life writing the Book of Five Rings―but you can’t figure out how to get there? Although it is located within the borders of Kumamoto City, it is located de...

Kirk here. According to this article, the number of foreign tourists coming to Kumamoto returned to the pre-COVID-19 (that is, the 2019) level last year. The numbers on the left are in tens of thousands. So, there were just over 350,000 foreign tourists last year.
https://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/articles/-/839187

There's so much TSMC-related news that I (Kirk) find it rather confusing at times. I'm not sure if this is new or a reiteration of what I've already posted but there may be a third (!) TSMC plant in the works (but perhaps not in Kumamoto -- who knows): "Analysts project that the production at TSMC's Kumamoto Fab 2 plant will begin in 2027, and theoretically, the production for Fab 3 will commence in 2029. Considering seismic concerns in Japan, TSMC may choose locations outside Kumamoto for the Fab 3 plant. "
TSMC to potentially expand another fab in Japan - Rti
TSMC will be expanding its global manufacturing this year, with speculations about establishing a 3-nanometer plant in Japan. Apart from facilities in...

Kirk here with a review of articles published in the Mainichi Newspaper last year that relate to the question "Is Japan ready to accept foreigners as part of its society?" Two of the articles listed are about Kumamoto:
1. Japan city drops plan to recognize foreigners as local citizens after opposition
2. Aging Japanese town faces challenge as foreign population grows by 20 times in 20 yrs
Both of these articles were introduced on this page last year. If you missed them or if you would like to see other articles related to this topic, see the following:
2023 Rewind: Is Japan ready to accept foreigners as part of its society? - The Mainichi
As Japan's population ages and dwindles, the number of foreign residents and children with roots abroad has continued to grow. Articles in 2023 reveal

Kirk here. Apologies if you're not interested in lots of TSMC new. I'm getting a lot about TSMC in my Google news alert so I'm trying to share what I hope at least some people will be interested in.
Competitive pay at TSMC plant may ripple across Japan, beat inflation
https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3246852/competitive-pay-tsmc-plant-may-ripple-across-japan-beat-inflation
I'll post to another article, entitled "Japan retailers ready for demand surge from TSMC's Kumamoto plant" in a comment.
Competitive pay at TSMC plant may ripple across Japan, beat inflation
TSMC’s generous compensation packages to recruit for a new chip plant in Kikuyo, Kumamoto Prefecture, serve as a wake-up call to high-tech companies all over the country, economists say.

Kirk here, wishing everyone a happy new year! 2024 will mark the start of TSMC production in Kumamoto. (Not that this is the most important thing to say about 2024 -- it's just that I happen to be introducing an article on the topic.)
Taiwan’s TSMC plans February launch for Japan fab | Taiwan News | 2023-12-30 14:00:00
Kumamoto foundry will count 1,700 employees | 2023-12-30 14:00:00

Kirk here with some useless but mildly interesting (?) information that came to me in a news feed: "Eiichiro Oda, the mastermind behind the globally acclaimed manga series 'One Piece,' has amassed a substantial net worth of $220 million."
As I think most of you know, Oda is from Kumamoto.
Eiichiro Oda Net Worth | Inspiring Journey [2023]
The story behind Eiichiro Oda's Net Worth and how his manga, "One Piece," revolutionized the industry. Dive into his $220M legacy and be inspired.

Sean here-
Having just read Kirk’s interesting post regarding “The practice of performing kuyo ceremonies” for the unborn, I was reminded of this ubiquitous stone guardian: The Compassionate Jizo.
Most of us have seen them – weathered stone figures, often adorned with red bibs and toys, standing sentinel on mountain passes, crossroads, and even in quiet neighborhood gardens. These are the Jizo, gentle Buddhist deities known as "Guardians of Children and Travelers."
If you've ever hiked in Japan, you've likely encountered these enigmatic figures nestled in the wilderness, offering silent solace to weary travelers. Their presence whispers a promise: You are not alone.
But Jizo’s compassion extends far beyond the physical realm. They are also protectors of the souls of unborn children and those who have passed away young, unable to cross the river to the afterlife according to Japanese belief. These precious souls are said to be vulnerable to demons, and the Jizo, with their wide-open eyes and outstretched arms, shield them with unwavering devotion.
In a world that can feel harsh and unforgiving, Jizo embodies empathy and unwavering love. They stand as silent reminders of the fragility of life and the enduring bond between parents and their children, even beyond the veil.
-empathy and unwavering love-
A good message to carry forward into 2024
Google "What are Jizo?" to delve deeper into the rich history and symbolism of these captivating guardians.

Kirk here with news about an interesting (in my view, at least) kind of kuyo (thanksgiving) ceremony. The word kuyo (供養) normally refers to a ceremony in which worshipers pray for the soul of a departed person. The practice of performing kuyo ceremonies for miscarriages and abortions has found its way into American culture where funerals (at least as far as I know) are usually reserved for those who have been born live. Here's an NPR piece about mizuko kuyo being adopted in the U.S.:
https://www.npr.org/2015/08/15/429761386/adopting-a-buddhist-ritual-to-mourn-miscarriage-abortion
The most famous kind of kuyo for inanimate objects is hari kuyo (針供養), which is described in this Wikipedia article:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari-Kuy%C5%8D
Instead of merely throwing broken sewing needles In the trash, a ceremony is held to thank them for their service. While hari kuyo is quite famous, the news article I'm introducing today is about a much more unusual ceremony. It's about a kuyo service for old advertisements, which was held for the second time this year.
I'm not sure how those of you feel about such services but personally, even though I have never participated in a formal kuyo ceremony for a work-related object, I can appreciate the sentiment. Sometimes when I need to throw away an object that has served me well for an extended period of time, or something that was given to me but which I can no longer use, I'll put my hands together in a quasi-religious gesture of gratitude and appreciation before I place the item in a trash bin.
Here's a link to a YouTube video about this unique kind of kuyo ceremony held in Kumamoto:
１年間の広告物に感謝　熊本広告供養 (23/12/21 11:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QT-Kyw1eAY

Kirk here with something about the schooling of the children of TSMC employees who relocate here. I think a lot of this is review but, nonetheless, here it is:
--- start quote ---
Kumamoto City in September. It was scheduled to open in April next year, but was moved forward by more than half a year. This is because expatriate employees and their families had to come to Japan in advance as the completion of Taiwan’s TSMC’s Kumamoto Plant 1 was approaching. When the factory is completed, the number of TSMC expatriates and their families is expected to reach about 750. Of the 20 employees selected by Kumamoto International during its expansion process, four are Taiwanese. It is an international school that uses 70% English and 30% Japanese, but plans to also hold Taiwanese language classes. Nearby Kumamoto University-affiliated elementary, middle, and high schools also decided to establish English classes for families of TSMC expatriates.
--- end quote ---
Japan moves schools and establishes Taiwanese language classes for children of TSMC employees
[일본 반도체의 역습] 〈China〉 Japan-TSMC’s ‘Honeymoon’ Japan's Kumamoto Foundry Plant 1 is scheduled to be completed by Taiwan's TSMC in February next year. As this factory is built, Japanese semiconductor-related companies are also investing in nearby areas. Provided by Asahi Shimb...

Kumustaka (http://www.kumustaka.org/English/index.html) will submit a formal letter of protest to Higo Bank and then hold a press conference tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 27th) beginning at 11:30 AM. The venue will be the Kisha Club (記者クラブ) room on the 5th floor of the Kumamoto Shiyakusho（市役所）, downtown. I would like to attend but unfortunately I will not be able to be there tomorrow. If any of you who are interested in the issue can be there, I think it will help show that the foreign community is paying attention.
There are five main points that Kumustaka's three page letter makes. Here's a brief English-language summary.
1. Most foreigners in Kumamoto are from Vietnam and China. An important message like this should have been prepared in languages that the recipients can understand.
2. Please do not follow through on your threat to freeze the accounts of people who have not complied by the Dec. 29 deadline.
3. Make it possible to provide the requested information online.
4. Make it possible for foreigners who leave Japan but plan to return to maintain accounts. Japanese people are not required to close their accounts if they move abroad for a period of time so foreigners should also be able to maintain accounts, particularly when they plan to return.
5. The letter cites the government's guidelines on the prevention of money laundering but, in treating all foreigners as equally suspect, Higo Bank fails to follow those guidelines, which clearly state that the risks posed by permanent residents should be assessed individually, just as the risks posed by Japanese citizens must be assessed individually.
I sent a message to Kumustaka about some other points that have come up on this page, such as the way the letter makes it seem as though it is being sent to Japanese citizens as well as foreigners when, in fact, that is not the case. But, even if the letter does not contain all possible points regarding this issue, I think it's very, very good.
It looks like there will be lots of press there tomorrow. If you can attend, you may have an opportunity to add your voice to the conference and be quoted in the media. Or, it will be fine to remain silent and merely witness the conference. In either case, if you are interested and have time, please consider attending.
I'll add the addresses of other related posts in comments to this post.