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Kirk reporting on a verdict rendered in a hazing lawsuit: Seiseiko High School was found not guilty.
The complaint was made by a student who was at the school as a first year student in 2017. The articles I'm linking to cite two issues: (1) freshmen being "taught" the school song on the roof of the school building by the ouendan (応援団; cheering club); (2) the former student being compeled to have his hair shaved off as a member of the tenis club. The former student did not feel he could return to school and eventually wound up transfering to another high school. The former student was asking for 1 yen in compensation -- a symbolic settlement.
In regard to the "teaching" of the school song, the judge seemed to agree that the 90-minute ritual was a reasonable approach to instilling school spirit. In regard to the hair cut, the judge says it was not forced and the the student "requested it."
In both of the articles I'm referring to, "shime" (シメ) is a key word in the complaint. The school seems not to recognize that Seiseiko practices "shime" but, as far as I can tell, it seems that the parents and the former student are using the term in a way that is very close to the English "hazing." The second article says that the "teaching" involved scary upperclassmen surronding new students and berating their poor perfomance at the top of their lungs (and, yelling loudly is what the ouendan is all about). In defence of the "tradition," a representative of the school is reported to have said the following:
"It's important to gaining a sense of membership in the school. There's nothing to criticize." （学校の一員になれたという実感を得るために重要。批判される要素はない。）
This "gaining a sense of membership," that is a "rite of passage," is what hazing is all about, isn't it? Doesn't seem like much of a defense to me.
The parents said they will discuss the matter with the former student and may appeal.
Of course, I only know what I can learn from the media so I'm not qualified to judge the court's verdict. But, it sure sounds fishy to me.
https://kumanichi.com/articles/673404
https://www.nishinippon.co.jp/item/n/931387/
Picture note: I've attached an actual picture of two members of Seiseiko's ouendan standing on the roof of the school. I obscured their identities because I only wanted to use the photo as an illustration of how ouendan members dress and the generally martial milieu they are capable of generating -- not to associate any specific person with the complaint against Seiseiko.
William An ad appeared in my feed for a new mansion between the train station (right), Denshadori (left), and Sangyōdōro (bottom left corner), facing south-west. The font makes it look like a New Yorker magazine cover.
(Fiona) The travel restrictions of recent years have made weekend breaks to Korea all but impossible. If you're craving Korean food, cosmetics and idol goods, think K is for Kikuyo!
The Sanree Carino mall in Kikuyo has an Olive Young pop-up shop as well as Oz, which stocks all kinds of Korean goods including snacks and frozen foods. It's well worth a visit and is easily accessible by public transport.
サンリー カリーノ菊陽
096-292-3110
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwkdxtfnWAoanBCR9
Kirk here with a little gif that is made up of a picture and a video that I took with my iPhone last night. On the left, a girl is holding a flower called a hotaru bukuro (蛍袋). In English, it can be called a "spotted bellflower" but the literal meaning of the Japanese name is "firefly bag." What you see on the right is a firefly doing its thing inside that very "firefly bag." Actually, I took the photo on the left by mistake; I forgot to turn off the flash. But, now I think it was a rather happy accident, so to speak, because it gives you an idea of what is actually happening.
The flower and the firefly were found in the same spot, just outside the home of a friend who lives in the Mifune area. Firefly season started earlier in May and extends into the first part of June.
Information in English about the plant:
https://hayakawajunpei.tumblr.com/post/96059350936/hotaru-bukuro-campanula-punctata-common-english
William Shinto shrines are nebulous places for non-Japanese. From my experience living adjacent to one, they offer superficial welcome to those from abroad to pray and attend festivals but generally do not allow deeper participation in shrine affairs. This is truer still for Kumamoto Gokoku Shrine（護國神社、ごこくじんじゃ), nestled between Ninomaru Park and the baseball stadium. (This is a rather difficult topic; if any have corrections or additions, please share them in the comments.)
Gokoku Shrine history is complicated, but in a nutshell, a "shōkonsha" shrine (招魂社, しょうこんしゃ) was established in 1875 in Kyoto by the Meiji government to enshrine victims who died for the country (Meiji Restoration war dead were an impetus; remains are not enshrined but names inscribed in the shrine registry) and another in Tokyo the same year; soon, one had been established in each prefecture. In 1939, they were renamed Gokoku Shrine, and after World War II, they became independent of the government but maintained an ambiguous "official" status akin to Yasukuni Shrine, which was originally a shōkonsha. Kumamoto's Gokoku Shrine enshrines some 65,000 war dead from Kumamoto prefecture from the Meiji Restoration to the Pacific War. Its atmosphere is solemn; there are few visitors.
For those who would like to visit, the shrine is currently holding a display of flags from many world countries to mark the war in Ukraine, so non-Japanese may feel a tad more welcome. TKU has the story along with a short video:
https://www.tku.co.jp/news/?news_id=20220527-00000016
Kirk here with an election billboard and some thoughts on communication in Japan.
An election for some open seats in the prefectural assemble is scheduled for Sunday, the 29th in Kumamoto City's "District 1." Where's this "District 1"? Good question but it's not easy for me to answer. The official website that shows the boundries of the districts is here:
https://www.pref.kumamoto.jp/site/gikai/7855.html
If you look at it, you'll see that the resolution of the map showing the districts is so bad as to make it almost impossible to read. This is in stark contrast to the election posters, where every effort is made to make sure that voters will be able to read the candidates' names. If fact, they've made it so easy that you might imagine that the electorate is made up of elementary school students and intermediate-level Japanese students from other countries.
The moral of the story: If you see information that is confusing, illegible, or otherwise difficult to understand, it most likely means that the people who prepared the message don't really give a **** whether you understand it or not. If people really do want to be clear, it can be done -- even in Japanese.
P.S. If I could vote and I were to base my vote solely on poster appeal, Mika would have my vote for sure. ;)
Kirk here reporting on a Kumanichi report on "ghost teachers" (yuurei sensei; 幽霊先生). My own university (Kumamoto Gakuen University; often refered to as "Gakuendai") and the Prefectural University of Kumamoto ("Kendai") are identified as having some remote classes (a very small number, I hope) where instructors don't prepare video or audio materials and don't conduct "live" online classes via platforms like Zoom . In regard to one such class at Kendai, a student is quoted annonymously as saying that they have to submit reports and get graded but don't get any feedback so they're not even sure if the professor is actually reading what they submit.
Obviously, those who are paying substantial tuition fees for such classes aren't pleased. I conducted a survey of my students in an online class of mine in 2020 asking them, in general, how satisfied with online classes at Gakuendai. The response was generally positive -- 60% or so responded that they were satisfied or somewhat satisfied. But there were also some serious complaints of the sort mentioned in the article.
In regard to my own online lecture classes, I've been interested in video editing and, as you may have noticed, I have an interest in online communication so that helped me make the transition. All in all, I think my online lecture classes wind up being as much or more interactive than my pre-COVID face-to-face lectures were. But, one criticism made in the article applies to me; I don't record my face. Students get to hear my lovely voice and see my slides with my mouse moving here and there to point to the part of the slide I'm discussing. In addition, I occasionally incorporate external videos (examples from YouTube and other sources) to illustrate points or ideas. But, I don't usually show my face. The article makes it sound as though that's a problem but I wonder if my students really care what I look like. Or, maybe some who think they would prefer to see me as I'm talking would decided that they hadn't been missing anything if they actually DID see what I look like: "On second though, that's OK. Go back to the way you were doing it before." ;)
I know that the transition to remote lecturing was quite difficult for some of my colleagues -- especially those who aren't particularly interested in computers, etc. But after more than two years, I would agree that online classes that lack audio, visual materials, and interactivity (good feedback, responses to questions, etc.) are a reall problem.
顔も声も知らない「幽霊先生」出没中 大学の遠隔講義、映像や音声配信なく学生失望（熊本日日新聞） - Yahoo!ニュース
新型コロナウイルス禍で対面授業が制限される中、大学の講義で最後まで教員の顔や声が分からないままで終わるケースがあるらしい。熊日の「SNSこちら編集局」（S編）には複数の学生から「映像も音声もない遠
Kirk here introducing Souun Takeda (武田双雲), a calligrapher from the East Ward of Kumamoto City. The picture is of a piece he gave to the East (Higashi) Ward as a gift after the 2016 earthquake. The lighting at the time caused lots of reflections that I tried to cut out by making the image black and white and increasing the contrast -- but with only limited success. The piece says "fly" (飛翔; hishou) and is display prominently in the Higashi Kuyakusho (東区役所; East Ward Office Building). I saw it there the other day when I was there to take care of some paper work
I know next to nothing about calligraphy but I like his style. He was on RKK recently and I was very impressed with him has a very friendly, likable person, which made me like his calligraphy that much more.
It you like calligraphy, you might want to check out his Twitter page -- there are lots of images there to enjoy:
https://twitter.com/souuntakeda
Souun has been written about in English:
Japanese Culture and a Joyful Heart: Souun's First Encounter With Calligraphy
https://matcha-jp.com/en/10401
Calligrapher Souun Takeda spreads healing power of the brush
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/2016/02/19/arts/calligrapher-souun-takeda-spreads-healing-power-brush/
The Japanese Wikipedia page about him says that his mother and two younger brothers are all calligraphers:
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/武田双雲
Here's a recent RKK video about a "family" exhibition that was held recently. Unfortunately, it has closed already:
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/39835?display=1
(Fiona) The Kumamoto Green Vision Expo might be over but that doesn't mean the flowers are all gone. This beautiful field of poppies can be seen at Moe no Sato in Nishihara, a short drive from Kumamoto city.
Kirk here recommending a visit to the Kashima area. If you're not familiar with the location just drop 上益城郡嘉島町 into Google Maps to find it.
There are a lot of wheat fields there that give off a beatiful golden glow this time of year. Today I learned that there is even a special word in Japanese for the view: bakushuu (麦秋; wheat autumn). Of course, it's May, not autumn but I think the idea is that the golden brown color is reminiscent of autumn.
The two images I'm posting are not mine but ones that I took from the following two websites:
https://kumamototeshigoto-labo.jp/feature_detail.php?page_no=2116
https://www.31wing.jp/blog/kizi/
I took a few photos with my iPhone, both of the wheat fields and of the pheasant we encountered, but these are much better than what I was able to take myself.
This was only my second time to see a pheasant (kiji) in the wild in Kumamoto. Here's a Wikipedia page about the bird, which seems to be called a "green pheasant" in English:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_pheasant
As is the case in some human cultures, females are expected to be modest and only the males are allowed to strut their colorful stuff.
The pheasant was just hanging out near a wheat field. When I got out of our car to try to get a better view it started walking in the opposite direction but didn't seem to be in any special hurry. Then it ducked into a wheat field to lose me. My wife and I sat in our car for a while admiring the view and speculating on the activities of our avian friend when he emerged from the wheat field, as if to say "You still here?" Apparently, it's mating season now: "I've got a date, so, you know . . . "
We took the hint and went to Ukijima Shrine (浮島神社) for a nice walk. If you haven't been there I'd recommend that you check it out.
Good morning, Atsuko with some information about ''Distribution of Flowers''.
I know many Kumamoto people enjoyed the Kumamoto Flower Expo, but today was the last day.
My family and I also enjoyed the beautiful flowers of Takeakari and Sakura-machi last night, but what are they going to do with these beautiful flowers after the exhibition is over? I wondered what would happen to these beautiful flowers after the event.
As expected, the used flowers will be distributed! The time and place are fixed, so please check carefully.
Although some problems were pointed out about the Flower Expo, I think it will be a good way to end it if the beautiful flowers can brighten the homes of many citizens.(๑˃ᴗ˂)و♡
https://kumaryokkafair.com/news/detail/2052.php
ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーNotice of Distribution of Flowers
Flowers used in the 38th National Urban Greenery Kumamoto Fair will be distributed as follows.
Flowers used in the flower tunnel
Distribution date: Sunday, May 22, 2022, from 16:30
Distribution location: Shinshigai Arcade
Flower arrangements used in the Nicolai Bergman exhibition
Date of distribution: Monday, May 23, 2022 9:00 -
Distribution location: In front of the information desk at Hanabata Plaza
Flowers used in the Kumamoto Station decoration
Distribution date and time: Monday, May 23, 2022 from 15:00
Distribution location: Kumamoto Station Concourse
Flowers used in the large flower bed supervised by Nicolai Bergmann
Distribution date: Tuesday, May 24, 2022 9:00 -
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 9:00 -
Location: In front of the information desk at Hanabata Plaza
Flowers used in the decoration of Karashima Park
Distribution date: Saturday, May 28, 2022 (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
Distribution location: Karashima Park
Distribution will end as soon as all are gone.
Please follow the instructions of the staff on the day of distribution.
Chuck Waterman here:
Are there any individuals or schools in the Kumamoto City area that are looking for someone to teach English part-time or help with a camp starting in July or later? A 21 year old aquaintance from California is coming to Kumamoto next month, and she's going to be looking for some Englsh teaching opportunities! She has **very good** Japanese conversational skills, and she'd be interested in teaching students of any age.
Kirk here with a share from Kuma Visit. Just two more nights (after tonight) to see it with your own eyes! :)
https://www.facebook.com/kumavisit/posts/3126558600929098
P.S. Atsuko has already share some great pictures of this event here:
https://www.facebook.com/Kumamotoi/posts/7253996938007009
Kirk here with what I hope will be the last post in my series about what has happened at Syugakkan.
New facts:
・The coach in his 30s (the one who was filmed being violent) has been fired. I think he is also under investigation by the police but I'm not sure what the status of that is yet.
・Headcoach Danbara has resigned without a follow-up explanation and/or apology -- the lack of which has angered graduates who claim to be victims of his violence.
In addition, the Bunshun article I'm linking to says that it has interviewed a woman (age not specified in article) who claims to have been paid for sex (10,000 or 20,000 yen) on several occasions until she cut the relationship off. The free article is a sort of "teaser" that says "if you want to know more, buy the magazine that goes on sale on the 19th." No thanks. I think I know all I need to know about Mr. Danbara now.
「毎回1万～2万円で……」暴行動画 秀岳館サッカー部・段原一詞前監督に“出会い系買春証言” | 文春オンライン
私立秀岳館高校（熊本県八代市）サッカー部で、30代コーチによる部員への暴行が発覚してから約1カ月。監督として同部を率いていた段原一詞氏（49）に、20代女性（当時）に対する買春疑惑があることがわかった…
Kirk reporting that a commitee has decided to hold a somewhat scaled back version of the Yamaga Toro Matsuri. This will be the first time the event has been held since 2019. Instead of having 1000 dancers, the number will be reduced to 400.
https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/rkk/48600?display=1
Kirk here with news that researchers at Kumamoto University are doing important, cutting-edge work in the field of genome editing:
Novel supramolecular CRISPR-Cas9 carrier enables more efficient genome editing
CRISPR-Cas9 is considered a revolutionary gene editing tool, but its applications are limited by a lack of methods by which it can be safely and efficiently delivered into cells. Recently, a research team has constructed a highly flexible CRISPR-Cas9 carrier using aminated polyrotaxane (PRX) that ca...
Fiona here with a YouTube channel recommendation. Flipside Japan explores abandoned theme parks, factories, bath houses and other unusual and rarely visited places. The video linked below was filmed in Aso.
Exploring the Earthquake Ruins of Japan
In this video, we are exploring the earthquake ruins of Japan. It's safe to say that 2016 was a traumatic year for the prefecture of Kumamoto. Within the spa...
Kirk here with a note about a neighbor who loves Kumamon. My wife and I happened to walk by the home of someone we have known for many years and this car was parked in front. It belongs to our friend's daughter who is a big Kumamon fan -- she was wearing Kumamon shoes and one or two other Kumamon items when we happened to me that day. I have no idea how to get a car like this but the owner said it was a special order.
(Pictures shared with permission of the owner. Sorry for the poor quality -- a second-rate phone on a cloudy day.)
This year, Megumi and I hope to get a lot more footage of the mudskippers (Mutsugoro) here in Kumamoto, Japan. As summer approaches and the coastal mudflats warm up - the mudskippers begin to appear.
Sumiyoshi Harbour and the Mutsugoro (Mudskippers)
In 2018, Megumi and I revisited one of our favourite spots in the Kumamoto area - Sumiyoshi Harbour and its mutsugoro (mudskippers) "colony". At that time we...
