Mega Essay

Foods

meats
Most famous meat of Kumamoto is horse meat. The locals eat this raw often. It is called ‘Basashi’ in Japanese. Horse meat called ‘cherry meat’. This is another name of it. Because of this meat looks so beautiful red and vivid marbled. In Kansai, to eat the horse meat is not popular but it is ordinary thing in Kousyu, foreign country (especially in Europe) and Kumamoto. And it is known as healthy food. So it is a rich food than beef and pork. There are many iron, vitamin, calcium and glycogen in it. In addition, it has high protein and low fat. That is why, it is good for the health and suited for diet. It taste sweet and plain than the other meats. Above all, its sweet is the most characteristic thing. ‘Baniku’ is good for the health and taste good too.

vegetables
It can grow many kind of vegetables in Kumamoto. First, Kumamoto is the top of the Japan to produce of mini tomato. Mini tomato of Kumamoto has high sugar content. So, we can eat it as if to eat fruit. And beautiful color of it is become accent of dishes. Next is eggplant. It is called ‘Nasubi’ in Japanese. There are two kind of eggplants in Kumamoto. One is called ‘Higonodekonasu’. It looks dark color and slim than ordinary eggplant. Another one is called ‘higomurasaki’. It looks purple color and it is the larger than the ordinary eggplant. In addition, it has no seed. And it has tender meat. That is why, it is nice to roast. The way of this is called ‘Yakinasu’ in Japanese. Besides of these, there are many vegetable in Kumamoto. For example, sweet potato, Japanese radish and carrot are famous vegetables in there.

sweets
There are many sweet in Kumamoto. First is ‘銅銭糖’ . It is a famous sweet in ozu-tyou. It is made in ‘浪花屋’. It looks white stick and there are Japanese ‘Anko’ inside it. It is said that a lord ate it long ago. Next is ‘Yotsumemanju’. It is made in ‘Yotsumehonten’ in Kumamoto city. Inside it is Japanese ‘Anko’ and it is wrapped with sponge cake. It looks so original. Next is ‘Mitudukeringo-cake’. It is made in ‘清正製菓’ in Kumamoto city. It is the cake flavor of cheese. And there are apples on it. It is good when a break. Besides of these, there are many popular sweet in Kumamoto. For example, ‘Musyagaeshi’, ‘Ikinaridango’ and ‘Jindaiko’ in there.

Sight seeing

Kumamoto city
Kumamoto City has many sightseeing spot. For example, Kumamoto Castle, Suizenzi Park, Kumamoto museum, Kumamoto prefectural art museum and so on. These are wonderful each and every. Especially, it is 400 years since Kumamoto Castle was build. So, many events are held in Kumamoto Castle this year. And, you can go downtown from Kumamoto Castle. Many stores stand in a row. We can go shopping or eating local dishes. If you rode in bus or streetcar, you can go to Suizenzi Park or Kumamoto zoo. Suizenzi Park is very beautiful. It is a beautiful Japanese garden. There are torii, pond, Tadatoshi Hosokawa’s bronze statue and so on. You can ramble and feel a history. And, Kumamoto zoo has many kinds of animal. For example, monkey, giraffe, leopard and so on. You can touch goat or sheep. And, there is a botanical garden. You will be able to look at rare plants. In addition, there is Ezu Lake near there. You can go fishing or riding in boat. These spots besides there are night view spots like Hanaokayama. You will be able to see beautiful night view. So, Kumamoto City has many wonderful spots. Please visit these places.

Aso
Aso has many beautiful natures. First, I introduce Mt. Aso. It is well-known to caldera. This caldera is the biggest in the world. You can look around crater vicinity when volcanic activity is a quiet. There is Aso volcano museum. And, Aso is fame by hot spring. There are many hot spring in Aso. These have almost open air bath. You will be able to relax. Next, I introduce a truck train. This runs between Tateno and Takamori. This truck train dose not have window. A splendid view will unfold before your eyes. Perhaps you may look cosmos at this season. Next I introduce ‘Hanaasobi’ in Aso City. There are restaurant or museum in ‘Hanaasobi’. We can enjoy seeing many kinds of rose in this facility all year around. And, we can try to make tofu in ‘tofu museum’ . This is very interesting. Finally, I introduce ‘Aso farmland’. There are many shop in there. You will be able to savor beer, meat, sweets and so on. So, we can lodge at this facility. Please visit Aso. You will surely relax. And, you may be able to valuable experience.

Amakusa
Amakusa has beautiful sea. So, there are aquarium in Amakusa. First, I introduce ‘Ushibuka kaityu park’. This park is very beautiful. You can look in the sea. Next, I introduce ‘Amakusa dolphin world’. We can contact dolphin. Dolphin or sea lion’s show is very popular. And, we can watch many forms of life. Next, I introduce ‘Shiro Amakusa memorial hall’. Shiro Amakusa is fame. If you visited this memorial hall, you could learn history.

history

pre-history
Kumamoto has a warm climate, rich water, a very large hill. So, It is predicted that people settled down in Kumamoto for around 15,000 years. In Yayoi period, rice growing begins quickly, and bronze ware and the ironware are seen because it is near the continent. The Japanese oldest iron ax is excavated in Tamana-gun Tensuimachi, and it shows that Yayoi Culture prospered. Climate of Kumamoto is sung in "Manyoshu tanka collection". The remains of the Jomon period are discovered in Amakusa Island. About 800 places have remains in Kumamoto.

Middle history
When the Heian era began, there was 99 volost in 14 counties and the bottom in the Higo country. When the manor heyday, about 10 baronies such as Aso manor and Yamaga manor were made. When the Kamakura period, Samurais were appointed by a lord of a manor and the protection. Mr. Aso and Kikuchi showed power in Kumamoto. From 1587, Kiyomasa Kato and Yukinaga Konishi ruled over the country of Higo. Kiyomasa Kato built Kumamoto Castle. Now, Kumamoto Castle is called "three Japanese fine castles" with Himeji Castle and Nagoya Castle. Kato received a trace of Konishi who died out by a fight of Sekigahara, and unified Higo. When it was the late Tokugawa period, the finance of the feudal clan became gradually hard. They tried for various political reforms and promotion of industry, but the shogunate government collapsed soon.

Modern history
In 1869, the Higo feudal clan was changed to Kumamoto feudal clan after return of the land and people from the feudal lords to the Emperor. The Kumamoto feudal clan became Kumamoto by establishment of prefectures in place of feudal domains of 1971. In 1871, Kumamoto medical school, Kumamoto Dutch learning school were established, and the modernization by Western civilization was planned. On the other hand, the family with samurai antecedents had dissatisfaction toward the new government. So the Southwestern Rebellion happened. Kumamoto became the battle place. Afterwards, a great number of changes were performed, and the local government system advanced slowly afterwards in the direction of the local self-government. Kumamoto city was born in 1889. And, merger advanced more, and new cities, towns and villages were born. And now Kumamoto has 11 cities, 62 towns and 21villages.

festival

kumamoto city
The most famous festival is ‘Hinokunimatsuri’ in Kumamoto city. It is held august every year in Kumamoto castle. This festival has two days. It has a firework for the first night. And it has a dance called ‘Otemoyansoodori’ in Kumamoto for the second night. Many dancer enjoy it. They do makeup as they like and they dance around the Kumamoto city. There are play of Japanese ‘Tsugaru-syamisen’ last year.

South area
In Yatsushiro city, a big fireworks display is performed every year. A lot of famous pyrotechnicians compete for their skill. There are fireworks launched to music. It is performed every middle of October. 10,000 fireworks are launched in this festival. It is full of a lot of people. There are many people coming from the Kyushu outside.
In Yamaga city, there is a big festival to be called the ‘Yamaga Touryou Festival’. It is famous that woman cheats ‘Touryou’ on her head. It is so beautiful.

North area
North area has many kinds of festival or events. I will introduce you. First, I introduce firework in Tamana City. This is a big event in summer. It is powerful but beautiful. Similarly, Sanoyoi fire carnival holds every year in Arao City. This is firework too. When reach the climax of this event, it produce season image. For example, ‘cherry’, ‘sea’, ‘colored leaves’, and ‘snow’. This is very beautiful. Next, I introduce goldfish festival in Nagasu town. It is held dipping for goldfish championship. At once, flea market is held. This is very interesting. In addition, Nagasu has other festival. It is ‘Hamayumi Festival’. This is traditional festival and naked festival. This is very gallant. Finally, I introduce ‘Yamaga garden lantern festival’. This is famous festival. It is hold every year in Yamaga when the Bon Festival. When this festival is held, women put gold garden lantern on own head.So, everyone dance fascinating. This light is very beautiful and very fantastic. Please visit these festival.
(1594 words)