Fireworks in Asagiri Machi (near Hitoyoshi) on October 14th. -- Kirk
https://kumanichi.com/event/1169390
Fireworks in Asagiri Machi (near Hitoyoshi) on October 14th. -- Kirk
Posts
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."
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1171799
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:
"TSMC sees workers in Japan, which is known for long hours and strong commitment to employers, as more willing to work a punishing schedule with overtime as chipmaking machines run around the clock in sterile clean rooms, the sources said."
TSMC prizes Japan's chips skills after U.S. stumbles
The chipmaker is taking an increasingly optimistic view of Japan as a production base, as problems persist at its new factory in Arizona.
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.).
https://www.facebook.com/reel/6850294051658115
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.
Two Websites for reference:
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%94%BE%E7%94%9F%E4%BC%9A
https://www.hakozakigu.or.jp/omatsuri/houjoya/
放生会 - Wikipedia
放生会（ほうじょうえ）とは、捕獲した魚や鳥獣を野に放し、殺生を戒める宗教儀式。放生会はインドに起源をもつ行事で、中国や日本にも伝えられたという[2]。また、インド由来の六道輪廻説と中国の孝が一体化したもの...
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. ;)
Horses were not involved in this part of the festival. The parade in which the decorated horses will appear is Sunday. I think that some readers of this page might have enjoyed viewing the lion dancing. Sorry I wasn't able to give you a proper heads-up.
熊本・藤崎八旛宮例大祭、獅子舞奉納で始まる 57団体参加の神幸行列は17日｜熊本日日新聞社
熊本市の秋の風物詩、藤崎八旛宮の例大祭が13日、熊本市中央区の同宮で始まった。初日は獅子飾り卸しがあり、熊本新町獅子保存会が市無形民俗文化財の獅子舞を奉納した。祭りの無事や五穀豊穣［ほうじょう］、子孫....
Kirk here with a followup to Williams post about the British Fair (英国フェア) underway at Tsuruya, which will last until next Tuesday (the 19th). Actually, I didn't notice William's post before started writing this one; please for give some overlap.
The picture of the scones is from the Tsuruya website, which has the details about the event:
https://www.tsuruya-dept.co.jp/saiji/britishfair/index.html
The spot I saw about this on RKK showed fish and chips being made and sold. That wasn't on the Tsuruya website so I took the fish-and-chips photo from the following Kumanichi article, which was published today on the opening of the fair:
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1170452
I'm posting this not as an advert for Tsuruya but in the hope that folks who love British food might be interested. If, however, there's someplace better for Brits to find comfort food, please let me know in a comment.
Kirk here with event news for jazz fans. The event will be held in Suizenji Jojuen (Suizenji Park) on the 29th of September and the price is right: free! Moreover, I think the quality of the performances will be very good. I'm kind of a snob when it comes to jazz so I didn't want to recommend the event without some evidence that the quality would be good. And I found very convincing evidence of that quality in the form of a YouTube video of the jazz pianist, Tomoko Sonoda:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsftYXpClF8
By the way, I originally found out about this event here:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=683771053788517&set=a.632782172220739
You can find a calendar of more events announced on this page here:
https://kumamotoi.blogspot.com/2023/09/calendar.html
William Tsuruya is having what they call an "English Fair" 「英国フェア」from today through the 19th. Apparently, there are scones and tea and fish 'n chips. And antiques, and goods branded with the British flag.
This NSFW clip is about all I know re: London https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=291kT7LvQ0k
https://kumanichi.com/articles/1170452
紅茶にスコーン、フィッシュ＆チップス 英国文化身近に味わって 鶴屋百貨店でフェア始まる｜熊本日日新聞社
イギリスを代表するグルメやファッションをそろえた「英国フェア」が13日、熊本市中央区の鶴屋百貨店で始まった。会場には紅茶に合わせるスイーツや長く愛されるアンティーク品が並び、上品な雰囲気を演出している....
Kirk here with news about a run-away iguana.
P.S. Who would keep a 2-meter iguana as a pet?
2-meter-long iguana on the loose in Kyushu - The Mainichi
KUMAMOTO -- An approximately 2-meter-long green iguana has escaped from a house in the Kumamoto Prefecture town of Asagiri in Japan's southwest island
Kirk here reporting that KIHARA Minoru (Kumamoto) is Japan's new Minister of Defense.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Japan-PM-Kishida-to-replace-foreign-defense-ministers
I think his fans and detractors would both agree that he's quite conservative. He is, for example, an member of the very conservative (some would say reactionary) Nippon Kaigi:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nippon_Kaigi
If you'd like to see previous Kumamoto International posts about Mr. Kihara, please click on the following link:
https://www.facebook.com/profile/100064554018003/search/?q=kihara
Japan PM Kishida to replace foreign, defense ministers
Kamikawa to be new foreign minister; Kihara gets defense portfolio
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%.
I think the change is due to efforts of the police to actually enforce the law (amazing, isn't it, what a little enforcement will do) and media efforts to help get the word out that stopping is important.
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/site/police/171906.html
For some perspective, here's a quote from William from 2019:
--- start quote ---
JAF notes that Kumamoto ranks among the lowest amongst prefectures for drivers following this rule. Nagano was highest, with 69% of drivers giving pedestrians priority; adherence seems to fall as one moves south (maybe lack of snow?). Kyushu prefectures bottomed out the list: only 11% of Kumamoto drivers yield to pedestrians (and this includes cyclists), far below the 20% national average, which in and of itself is shockingly low.
--- end quote ---
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02FHU3BG7TiL6icfkeo5znwRamesiRXM9hVGeP6PE2h4ZjXu9HWC5igzp6Lqa4Gg8Xl
The figures William quoted are reflected in this graph.
Here's a post I did about a Kumanichi report written by graphic novelist Sean Micheal Wilson:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid02eQ2CYF87HchzikV5YEDnSHpRaEch9tJZA9GvMbaQt7VxWvP2Nx86DxyJzNZZWqqol
See? Kumamoto International isn't just a lot of hot air. We're making a difference (or, in this case at least, the direction our hot air is blowing in matches that of the local society ;) )!
P.S. I've noticed that compliance is not so good at night, where drivers assume that pedestrians have no reason to be out and about and that the roads are just for them. So, never assume that a car will stop for you, especially at night. Wait until you are sure they are stopping. Also, even though drivers are supposed to stop, I like to nod, wave or smile to show my appreciation and encourage them to keep it up. :)
I think lots of humans would like to live longer, healthier lives. Research at Kumamoto University on naked mole-rats (not those dressed-up mole rats) may lead to important discoveries that, in turn, may help us do so (maybe ;) ). -- Kirk
Japanese scientists may have unraveled the secret of aging resistance in naked mole-rats
Naked mole-rats have the longest life span among all rodents and can resist aging and the age-related diseases. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this ability are largely unclear.
Kirk here with something for sunflower fans about and event in Yanagawa:
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=780399150759983
Yanagawa is just beyond the border with Kumamoto in Fukuoka prefecture. Yanagawa is also known for its canals, on which tourists can enjoy tours. For more information about that see the following page (which is the source of the second photo):
https://www.ana-cooljapan.com/destinations/fukuoka/yanagawarivercruising
Kirk here coming back to the Fujisakigu festival. I found a book in my university's library that presents interesting information about the festival (see cover image). On pages 78 and 79, it says that in 1982, public dissatisfaction with the involvement of yakuza in the festival (apparently, yakuza groups were shaking down folks in town by demanding "contributions" to fund their participation in the festival) and the abuse of horses. In response, a "Fujisakigu Reitasai Decorated Horse Supervisory Committee" was established and a set of rules written up and distributed. In 1983, four groups that were found to be in violation of the rules were banned from the festival the following year. Impressive! But, the author doesn't say (at least not in this part of the chapter) whether or not such enforcement of rules was continued in following years.
This got me wondering about contemporary rules that the groups must follow. I found an application for on the shrine's website that requires all participating groups to follow rules established by the shrine but I couldn't find the set of rules itself. If they are really committed to enforcing a set of rules, I think that publishing them for all to see would be a good start. Indeed, the animal rights group I quoted in my last message complained that the shrine had not yet responded to a request for a clear list of rules (but this was a few years ago).
Kirk here with an introduction to an article titled "TSMC Kumamoto fab expected to spur Taiwanese investment in Japan." The most interesting aspect of the article to me was the graphic you see. Kumamoto is Fab 23 (fabrication plant no. 23) and will be producing chips that have transistors that are between 12 to 28 nanometers big. This is not as good as what is produced in Taiwan where 3 nm chips are already being made and 2 nm chips are in development. The size of the chips is important "because the smaller the size of a single transistor, the [more] tightly they can be packed together" thus making faster, more powerful chips:
https://pocketnow.com/chip-nanometer-technology-explained/
The chips to be produced in Kumamoto will be considerably less advanced than those produced at the fab under construction in Arizona. Kumamoto's chips will be closer to those produced in Shanghai and Nanjing in terms of the level of technical sophistication.
https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202309070018
Kirk here with a lengthy article that I highly recommend for fruit history buffs (I know you're out there ;) ). The article explores the roots of Kumamoto's banpeiyu industry in Japan's colonization of Taiwan. Currently, "Kumamoto accounts for 96% of Japan’s entire banpeiyu harvest, and the southern Kumamoto city of Yatsushiro is a particular specialist in the fruit, which is harvested in winter and has become a popular seasonal gift."
“Banpeiyu”: The Citrus Connecting Taiwan and Kumamoto
The volleyball-sized banpeiyu holds the world record as the largest citrus fruit. Kumamoto Prefecture provides the bulk of Japan’s harvest, but the fruit is also popular in Taiwan, leading to a number of connections between Japan and the island.
I went to Ezuko for a little walk after the rain. I was not disappointed. :) -- Kirk
