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William We seem to be experiencing an earthquake swarm centered on the central and north-eastern sections of the Futagawa fault, which has remained unruptured since the 2016 quakes.
Just in case, keep your bathtub full (water lines were out of service for a week in my neighborhood back in '16), secure your TV and other fragile items, and make sure you have a week's worth of food.
Earthquake notifications are available here: https://www.jma.go.jp/bosai/#pattern=earthquake_volcano&area_type=offices&area_code=430000

Atsuko here with information about Noyaki, burning off the fields, workshop for foreigners.
Hoping you find and enjoy spring in Aso.
ଘ(੭ˊ꒳​ˋ)੭✧
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On 25 February (Sat) a field trip for foreign residents will be held.
If you know someone who lives or works in Aso City or the surrounding area, we would be grateful if you could introduce them to us.
Saturday 25th February, 9.30am - 2.30pm
Meeting place: Higo Otsu Station at 9:30am
　　　　　　Aso Station at 10:10am.
Please board a private bus at either station.
Attendance fee: Free (packed lunch included)
Places to visit: Pastureland in Aso City.
If the field burning cannot take place due to weather conditions, a handicraft experience to learn about grasslands and field burning will be held.
Registration required*.
Please apply by email stating your name, age, nationality, address, telephone number, preferred meeting place and any dietary restrictions.
[Registration and Enquiries.]
Aso Green Stock Tel: 0967-32-3500
Email: [email protected]

Sean here -
With Valentine’s day around the corner, coupled with my desire to support local artisans/businesses, I am happy to share with all of you “Love Local, Treat yourself” Valentine's event at Cocosa, located next to the Freaks store.
Some featured locals are Licht Coffee and Cakes. Some of you may know them as Cluck café. Tien Tien Cafe an Aso favorite, as well as a local artisan who has been mentioned here on a few occasions, our very own one-woman, local small business operator, Chikae san’s “Out of Step Café”. The finest Bagels in Kumamoto.
See pics for more.
If you are looking for a place to get something special for your sweetheart while supporting your local small businesses, check out “Love Local, Treat yourself”.
It don't get any sweeter than dat!

William That was an interesting quake. Apparently, the epicenter was in Nishiharamura, which sits astride the Futagawa fault, the same guy responsible for our trouble years ago. Likely stress built up by southern quakes is gradually working its way north. But without that fault, we wouldn't have the Tateno Gap, and the caldera would be a huge lake.

Kirk here with sad news about vandalism. Some sort of fluid that left a red stain was thrown on a monument (reibyo; 霊廟)to HOSOKAWA Gracia in Kurokami, near Kumamoto University. First, who was HOSOKAWA Gracia?
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Hosokawa Garasha (細川ガラシャ), (1563 – 25 August 1600) was a member of the aristocratic Akechi family from the Sengoku period. Gracia is best known for her role in the Battle of Sekigahara; she was considered to be a political hostage to the Western army led by Ishida Mitsunari. She reneged on committing suicide (seppuku) because of her Catholic faith, breaking the code of conduct imposed on women of the samurai class.
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The vandalized monument is in the remains of Taishoji (泰勝寺), about which William has already written:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/pfbid0C8rfqwxy39LstrBPL81D53gRRWfddg6y8V4j7F3anuzm6UDcFim2MKM8h6bWe9ukl
Here's the RKK news segment I saw:
【速報】泰勝寺で細川ガラシャの霊廟など４つの御廟に「やや赤色がかった液体」がまかれる　人為的にまかれた可能性 | TBS NEWS DIG
熊本市にある国指定文化財の「泰勝寺」跡で、2月２日、４つの御廟に液体がまかれたような跡が見つかり、熊本市は警察へ被害届を出す予定です。2月２日、熊本市中央区にある国指定文化財の細川家の墓所「泰勝寺」跡…

Kirk here. If you live in the Aso area and would like to study Japanese, this should interest you.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0dgwutMURwaY7RUKHMz1TzM9EQECnk9DKYkkzV5Evk5MNpvYiZVLKu8jM9Q9AsSxGl&id=100089958274988

William with two pieces of online software you should try.
Certainly most everyone has heard of ChatGPT. Queries are met with answers much less detailed than Wikipedia but in a more conversational style. When asked, "Tell about Kumamoto," it offered simply: "Kumamoto is a city located on the island of Kyushu in Japan. It is the capital of Kumamoto Prefecture and has a population of around 700,000 people. Kumamoto is known for its castle, which was originally built in the 1600s and is one of the most famous and well-preserved castles in Japan. The castle was severely damaged in a 2016 earthquake, but has since been rebuilt and is a popular tourist destination. The city is also known for its hot springs, nature parks, and traditional festivals. Additionally, Kumamoto is a hub for transportation, with a bullet train station, highways, and airports connecting it to other parts of Japan." An account can be set up here: https://chat.openai.com/
A second site, Rome2Rio, offers detailed travel instructions between any two points in the world. If you're interested in traveling from Kumamoto to anywhere else, the site will give you detailed suggestions, usually including air, rail, bus, and taxi. https://www.rome2rio.com/ Kumamoto is a convenient launch point to explore the wonders of Kyushu.
Rome2rio: discover how to get anywhere
Discover how to get anywhere by searching plane, train, bus, car and ferry routes

Kirk here with news about Kumamoto International's own (well, we don't "own" him but he's been a participant) Andrew Mitchell. Go Andrew!!
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In another workshop, Andrew Mitchell, 38, the U.K.-born representative of "Kumamoto Earthquake Experience Project," an international students' group in Kumamoto that thinks about issues relating to disaster management for foreigners, talked about his disaster experience. The Fukuoka Regional Headquarters of the Japan Meteorological Agency also gave a lecture about quakes and tsunami.
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Int'l residents, Japanese volunteers in Fukuoka join 'easy English' workshop for disasters - The Mainichi
FUKUOKA -- Aiming to better convey information to foreigners during times of emergency, a seminar including a workshop on speaking in

William Heads up on the Kumamon front: in order to publicize the existence of Kumamoto to those who've apparently been living under a rock, Kumamon has been on a national tour. To celebrate his (her?) homecoming, Those That Be will publicize from 2/8 a series of short, FX-heavy videos showing the ol' guy (gal?) at various famous spots in Kumamoto. Keep an eye on this site: https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/specialsite/ and we at KI will keep you up to date.
熊本県復興プロモーション「くまモン、帰省中。」スペシャルサイト。くまモンのオリジナル動画（全7話）を随時公開。プレゼントキャンペーンもチェック！

Fiona here, with a post for Kumamoto-i readers to share photos and locations of their favourite vending machines. I've spotted machines selling pig's trotters, gyoza and of course the edible insects sold outside the balloon store at the end of the Kokai shopping arcade. What other delicacies and delights are out there?

Atsuko here with some information about the vegetable-picking workshop for children and parents in Nishi Ward(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
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Would you like to experience a vegetable harvest with your children?
How about picking sweet spring vegetables?
Let's have fun harvesting fresh vegetables grown in the local Nishi Ward with your parents and children!
Date & Time] 19 March (Sun), 2023 10:00-12:00 *In case of rain, it will be held on 26 March (Sun).
Meeting place: Western Exchange Centre
Number of people wanted] Approximately 10 parent/child pairs (booking required).
Children must be between elementary school and primary school age. Please contact us for more details.
Please wear clothes that are easy to move in and can get dirty on the day.
Please bring your own military gloves and boots. Please bring a saw and sickle for picking vegetables.
Participation fee] Free of charge
Registration and Enquiries] Please contact the office or call (096-273-6996).

Kirk here. A facility is being built in Yatsushiro to derive energy from woody biomass (not to be confused with facilities intending to produce energy from Woody's biomass ;) ).
First of all, a quick definition of woody biomass:
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Woody biomass is biomass derived from trees. It can be classified into construction scrap wood, sawmill residues, and forest residues (such as branches and leaves shed in the mountains).
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/woody-biomass
I became aware of this project through the following article:
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Nippon Paper also operates the 149MW Ishinomaki Hibarino biomass power plant in northeast Japan's Miyagi prefecture and the 6MW Yatsushiro biomass power plant in south Japan's Kumamoto prefecture.
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https://www.argusmedia.com/en/news/2416025-japans-yufutsu-biomass-power-plant-starts-operations
However, the "operates" statement seems to be inaccurate in regard to the Yatsushiro plant, as it is not scheduled to start to function until 2024:
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The Project Company will construct and operate “Yatsushiro Biomass Power Plant,” a wood-burning biomass power plant that will generate 75 MW and aims to commence operation in June 2024.
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https://www.chuden.co.jp/english/corporate/releases/pressreleases/1206271_5163.html
Woody biomass has its promoters and detractors:
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Energy from woody biomass can be very positive for the climate, particularly when applying sustainable forest management practices, and when the biomass is used efficiently.
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https://www.ieabioenergy.com/iea-publications/faq/woodybiomass/
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Current biomass policy frameworks are not fit for purpose and require substantial changes to ensure they contribute to mitigating climate change rather than exacerbating it.
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https://www.chathamhouse.org/2017/02/woody-biomass-power-and-heat
Woody Biomass - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
SCIENCEDIRECT.COM
Woody Biomass - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Woody biomass particles also display anisotropic behavior where physical properties depend on whether they are measured along, across, or tangential to the grain of the wood.

Kirk here with some news that I don't understand very well:
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Among those embracing the digital trend is Metagri-Labo, a community launched in March 2022 that aims to merge agriculture and blockchain technology to increase farming revenues while revitalizing regional areas.
. . .
The collaborative project with Shimada watermelon farm in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, issued 20 limited edition "MetagriLabo Suica Collection" NFTs, with actual watermelons and other benefits delivered to those who purchased them.
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Japan startups team with farmers to put tech to work in agriculture - The Mainichi
TOKYO (Kyodo) -- From robots to artificial intelligence and blockchain-based marketing, technological innovation is increasingly being harnessed in Ja

Let's dance! Join our very casual Irish Dance Circle! - Ruth reports ☘️🕺🎶 Ahead of the 2023 Kumamoto St. Patrick's Day Parade, on Saturday, 11th March this year, we hope to get together 3 times to practice some group dances: that'd be the 19th and 26th February, and 5th March (all Sundays) from 10am-12pm. The venue is on Hakuzan-dori.
Address: 〒862-0959 熊本県熊本市中央区白山1丁目6-31
RSVP to the event paIrish Dance Circleleut
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and we'll see you at the Okashi-no-Kobai HQ on Hakuzan-dori on Sunday 19th and 26th February and March 5th (Sunday).
Parking available - see event page for details.
For those using public transport, お菓子の紅梅・Okashi-no-Kobai is just a 10-min walk from ShinSuizenji JR/tram station or Misotenjin tram station ♪
2023年3月11日(土)のセント・パトリックス・デイのパレードを前に、3回集まってアイリッシュダンスの練習をしたいと思います。2月19日(日)、26日(日)、と3月5日(日)に白山通の「お菓子の香梅」本店でお会いしましょう!! 動きやすい服装と靴でお越しください。参加申し込みはこちらです♪ 駐車場あり・央区白山1丁目6-31👣新水前寺駅から歩いて10分です♪よろしくね!

Kirk here reporting that a new hotel is coming to the Aso area:
"KUMAMOTO
Fairfield by Marriott Kumamoto Aso (93 rooms, opening in autumn 2023.
The hotel will be located at Kumamoto in Aso city, nestled within one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas."
Fairfield by Marriott expands in Japan - TTR Weekly
HONG KONG, 1 February 2023: Fairfield by Marriott, part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio of 30 brands, announced Tuesday seven anticipated openings of 2023, adding to the portfolio of 22 Fairfield by Marriott hotels in Japan. The new hotels will be located along national roadside rest areas in the p...

Kirk here with some thoughts and questions about language. The topic is not specific to Kumamoto but, on the other hand, sharing information about Kumamoto usually involves going between Japanese and English and what I'd like to write about in this post certainly has to do with that general issue.
Observation 1: The Japanese term 湿布 (shippu) is so common that I suspect most of you who have been in Japan several years or more are familiar with it. The characters mean "wet cloth" but "medicated wet cloth" would be more accurate. You can find lots of shippu in drug stores and they may be prescribed to you.
Observation 2: There is a term in English that is more-or-less equivalent in meaning: poultice (the attached image came up in a search for "poultice"). But, even though English is my native language, I don't believe I had ever encountered the word before being asked "How to you say 'shippu' in English?"
Observation 3: Google image search can be rather informative. If you search for "湿布" you'll find images of pre-packaged things to stick on your skin. If, however, you search for "poultice" you get a lot of home remedy images (like the one I've appended) or images of people receiving treatments. So, it does seem to be the case that, unlike "湿布," "poultice" is not a typical item in drug stores in the English-speaking world.
Questions: Am I just ignorant because I didn't know the word "poultice" or do others of you also think that "poultice" is rarely used in English? Is there a better, more common translation for "湿布"?
Final observation: I'm interested in how words that are commonly used in one language often have equivalents in another language that are rarely used or seem quite difficult. I think this is one such example but that there are many more.

Kirk here with some news for archeology fans:
"The about 55-centimeter-long iron sword was unearthed from the remains of a tomb from the Kofun period at the site of Kumamoto Castle during an excavation by the city government."
I wasn't even aware of tomb remains being located on the castle grounds.
P.S. The article shows an enhanced image in which kanji are remarkably legible.
Iron Sword Excavated in Kumamoto Inlaid with Characters Possibly Meaning Year 604
KUMAMOTO — Characters that may indicate the year 604 have been discovered on an iron sword that was excavated in April last year from a burial mound in Kumamoto City, the city government announced Friday. Previously, an iron sword inscribed with characters believed to represent the year 608 was ex...

Atsuko here with Noyaki schedule 2023.
Spring is just around the corner.ଘ(੭ˊ꒳​ˋ)੭✧
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Reminder of the No-yaki schedule]
Kusasenri
25 February at 10:30am
Reserve day: 3/4(Saturday), then moved to weekdays.
Aso Foothills (Gogaku area)
2/26㈰ from 9:00am
Reserve days 3/5㈰, 3/12㈰, 3/19㈰, 3/21㈫㈷, 3/26㈰.
Northern Outer Rim, all areas
3/5㈰ from 9:00am
Reserve days 3/12㈰, 3/19㈰, 3/21㈫㈷, 3/26㈰.
Traffic restrictions and other measures will be in place on the surrounding roads on the day of the event.
Please do not park on the roads along the meadow or enter the meadow.
*The time of the fire will vary depending on the weather conditions and the area.

William Kumanichi notes that there is a cat who wears samurai armor (甲冑, かっちゅう, katchyū - kinda sounds like a cat sneeze, doesn't it?) and hangs out at Sakuranobaba Josaien. Named Kotetsu, the 7-year-old male regularly takes walks with her owner, Seiji Nishioka - photo is at the link - wearing red armor with a little cat foot design (as Sandburg noted, "The ninja comes in on little cat feet.") Such a sight would be enough to give one ... paws. Bring your camera and maybe a piece of dried fish.
https://tinyurl.com/yckva3ja

Ruth here with information about St. Patrick's Day celebrations in Kumamoto City ☘️ This year's parade will be held on Saturday, 11th March and it kicks off at 2:30pm from the Kamitori Arcade.
Wear something green and join in the fun!
And, if you want to participate in the local Irish Dance Circle's practice sessions, there'll be more info soon about the schedule for this month. Those who participate will hopefully be present on the 11th March to help showcase a few impromptu dances during the parade itself! 🎶
https://parade.kumamoto-ireland.org/?fbclid=IwAR3vPvgdTJhp9bCTgu0ZgrZnkFnQvUqcrqz5pF2iYD_qYO2rUElA_RR9AMs