Latest news with #Kawakami
Spectator
30-04-2025
- General
- Spectator
‘It is sad that we are sometimes seen as just killers': an interview with Japan's last ninja
Getting an interview with Jinichi Kawakami, the man known in Japan as 'the Last Ninja', was no easy task – but nor should it have been. Ninjas, Japan's legendary covert operatives and assassins, were renowned for their elusiveness, so it would have been disappointing if tracking one down had proved a cinch. It took a good deal of research and persistence before I was granted an interview by landline telephone – which also seems appropriate since ninjas were reputedly able to make themselves invisible. Kawakami is head of the Banke Shinobinoden school of ninjutsu (ninja culture), director of the Iga-ryu Ninja Museum and Ninja Council, and a professor of Ninja Studies at Mie University. At 76, he is the last living embodiment of a centuries-old tradition and the master of a very particular set of skills that have been passed down orally. Kawakami has chosen not to take on an apprentice, so when he goes, that will be it: no more ninjas. How does he feel about this? 'Well, I never called myself 'the Last Ninja', but I suppose there is a certain sadness,' he tells me, speaking so quietly that he is almost inaudible (that feels appropriate too: it is easy to imagine him stealing up on you unawares). 'But it's a misconception that ninjas still exist in their traditional form. It's a pity people still believe that.' What exactly that traditional form was is a matter of contention. We know ninjas – or, more accurately, shinobi ('those who conceal themselves') – existed and something of what they did, but details are scant. From surviving documents, most notably the 17th-century ninja manual Bansenshukai, they appear to have been more spies and saboteurs than killers, though they were armed with elaborate weapons and could dispatch an enemy in short order if required.
SoraNews24
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- SoraNews24
Pageant in Gifu Prefecture allows all races, genders, species, and levels of existence to enter
You don't get much more inclusive than that. Beauty pageants aren't quite as big as they used to be, with a lot of major organizers moving on to other things like becoming president of the USA. But they still go on, especially in more rural areas such as Gifu Prefecture, where the annual Nohime Gran Prix is held. 'Nohime' means 'Lady of No' referring to a historical region of No, where she is said to have come from. Little is known about her for certain other than she was married to the famed daimyo Oda Nobunaga around the time that he gave the area of Gifu its current name. ▼ This famous print shows Nohime (among the background crowd, dressed in white) fighting alongside her husband prior to his death in the Honno-ji Incident, but there is no evidence she was actually there. The Nohime Festival was established in 2019 as a feminine answer to the Gifu Nobunaga Festival and Dosan Festival, both of which were in honor of men. The idea was to make a festival where women could shine, but along the way it was decided to open it up to celebrate everyone and everything. One of the main events of the Nohime Festival is the Nohime Gran Prix, which isn't a beauty pageant in the strictest sense of the term, but very similar in that the winners become spokespeople for the event during that year. The rules for entry state that it is open to 'anyone who wants to promote Gifu Prefecture regardless of age, gender, or nationality (biological status is not an issue).' That parenthesized part seems to just point out that biological sex is irrelevant, but it actually goes a lot further than that judging by this year's winners. In first place, we have Yui Takenaka. Her runners-up are Shion Sakuragi, Hanako Nawa, and a pair of corgies Mira and Ramu. The winners can all be seen in a photo tweeted by festival committee chairperson Rui Kawakami, who also points out that a parrot had won in a previous year. 濃姫グランプリがバズってる😳 濃姫グランプリを企画している #濃姫まつり は 濃姫生誕500年の2035年まで毎年開催しますのでご興味をもった方は次回ぜひご応募ください！＼'年齢･性別･生体種不問'です🌸／過去にはオウムさんの入賞も🦜どなたでもご応募頂けます❤️🔥 by濃姫まつり2025実行委員長 — 川上るい【濃姫まつり2025実行委員長】 (@rui_hitohito) April 17, 2025 The inclusion of not only other genders but even animals got a lot of attention on social media, with several people asking where the Nohime Gran Prix drew a line and Chairperson Rui Kawakami was more than happy to answer. Question: 'Since it's not a living thing, a stuffed toy can't enter, right?' Kawakami: 'As long as they have a love for Gifu, it's OK!' Question: 'Can a strawberry run too?' Kawakami: 'Of course they can apply! It doesn't matter what kind of organism it is.' Question: 'Even VTubers can do it?' Kawakami: 'Of course, that's OK! We haven't received applications from any yet, but we'd be happy to hear from you someday.' Question: 'These are wonderful qualifications to apply. By the way… might AI be OK?' Kawakami: 'AI!!! Of course, it's OK! We welcome AI contestants, but none have applied yet. We look forward to seeing you next time.' It certainly appears that anything goes when it comes to the Nohime Gran Prix as long as entrants are all about promoting the festival and Gifu Prefecture in general. The response in online comments has been largely positive, saying that this is the way pageants should be. 'It's diversity but it doesn't feel heavy-handed. It seems so peaceful.' 'That group photo of the winners has a great atmosphere.' 'It's like an open weight class beauty pageant.' 'This is all over the place and I love it.' 'It's a pageant of cute things, whatever they may be.' 'This is what diversity should be, not forcing it but embracing it.' 'With all the negative news, this is really nice to hear.' 'I don't really get it, but I think it's really good.' This year's winners were already declared in March, so we'll have to wait until next year to see who or what enters the next Nohime Gran Prix. On the bright side, this gives everyone a chance to come up with interesting entries alongside humans. I'm actually not a fan of eating them so much but always found strawberries to be rather aesthetically pleasing fruits and well overdue to win one of these things. Source: Twitter/@rui_hitohito, Noruhime Matsuri, My Game News Flash Top image: Nohime Matsuri Insert image: Wikipedia/Nobukazu Yosai ● Want to hear about SoraNews24's latest articles as soon as they're published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's next for Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami's political future?
KAUAI COUNTY, Hawaii (KHON2) — Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami gave his seventh State of the County Address on Thursday, March 13. Kaua'i Mayor Derek Kawakami delivers 2025 State of County Address KHON2 caught up with him to touch more on key issues and share what's next in his political future as he nears the end of his eight-year term. 10 facts about Obama's $18M Hawaiʻi beachfront mansion With Phase 1 of the master-planned community in Eleele almost complete, Mayor Kawakami mentioned more development partners are needed to start more projects to add to the affordable housing inventory. We asked the Mayor how he plans to get those partnerships. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'Our whole business model around affordable housing was to make it profitable and less risky for developers, because the previous model of letting private property owners develop left us with a backlog and a lack of inventory. So what we've been doing is land-banking, getting all the infrastructure in, having our team securing all the entitlements, and so we're actually coming to the table to lower the cost of goods sold. And in that business model, we're already attracting developers to come and help us build more affordable housing for families that work, live, and play right here on Kauai. And so as we proceed and wrap up our final year, we're just going to be working quicker. And we're just putting the development community on notice to be ready with bids when we send them out because we're thinking outside of the box,' said Mayor Kawakami. After his term as mayor ends, Kawakami said he wants to continue to serve his community. 'There's no real, clear big picture. In the political world, it is often times a cloudy outlook, not that it's bleak. But I do have a burning desire to serve and continue to serve, and there are many different ways to do it.' Check out more news from around Hawaii 'I only got one year left and I really want to focus our efforts on wrapping up loose ends. Leaving the next administration with a good foundation so that he or she can build upon that. And I do have a burning desire to serve. Our Senate President Ron Kouchi is a person I look up to. And he can stay there as long as he wants, but I've always been patient.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kaua‘i Mayor Derek Kawakami delivers 2025 State of County Address
LĪHUʻE, Hawaii (KHON2) — Instability and uncertainty were the themes of Kaua'i Mayor Derek Kawakami's State of the County Address at the Līhu'e Civic Center on Thursday, March 13. According to Kawakami, his proposed $347 million budget emphasizes infrastructure projects, affordable housing initiatives and improved customer service for county employees. Blangiardi looks forward as State of the City, decision on landfill near The Mayor hopes to continue prioritizing infrastructure projects to include 35 additional roads totaling 48 lane miles under contract, costing $21 million. Kawakami also hopes to continue expansion of the Kekaha Landfill as well as find a new landfill location before Kekaha reaches capacity in 2027. Officials said affordable housing remains essential in the budget, with hundreds of affordable housing units planned in the near future. He also spoke about the struggle to fill vacant county positions. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news 'We have proposed a budget initiative to convert full-time positions to two part-time positions to attract people who may be eager to work, but require flexibility. As we highlight our vacancies, let me quickly shout out any federal employee on Kaua'i looking for work. We have a place for you here at the County of Kaua'i,' said Kawakami. The County said they are also committed to purchasing a new twin-engine helicopter to support first responders and assist with wildfires and rescues. In his final words of the address, Mayor Kawakami emphasized Hawai'i's desire to find common ground, even in times of chaos, to provide a beacon of hope. 'As I have this rare opportunity to speak to my fellow state elected officials, I offer you the same challenge. No matter the conditions, we must always be that steady beacon of hope, and light the path forward for generations.' Check out more news from around Hawaii To view Mayor Kawakami's full State of the County Address, visit Kaua'i County's Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Deebo Samuel Sr.: "No bad blood" with 49ers
At a time when some reports are indicating that the 49ers had developed a disdain for receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., Deebo feels no ill will toward the 49ers. "49ers know where I stand with them and it's nothing but love," Samuel tweeted on Monday night. "Love [G.M.] John [Lynch] and [coach] Kyle [Shanahan] to death no bad blood no way shape or form. They know I'm more than appreciative of everything they done for me as a player and a man nothing but love." Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard paints a somewhat different picture, from the team's perspective. Kawakami cites lingering frustration with Samuel from Super Bowl LVIII. Writes Kawakami regarding Samuel's performance in the second loss in four Super Bowls to the Chiefs: "Kyle Shanahan repeatedly tried to get the ball to Deebo, who failed to produce much of anything. He caught 3 passes for 33 yards, ran it 3 times for 8 yards, and was a complete non-factor — when one big play might've won it all." Kawakami adds that, during Samuel's contract negotiations in 2022, Kawakami "heard that a 49ers negotiator told Deebo or his agent that he didn't deserve the kind of massive extension other players were receiving because he wasn't going to last that long at the top of the game." While that may have been nothing more than a bargaining tactic (after all, they gave him a significant deal), the current move seems to reflect a conclusion by the team that Samuel is approaching or at his expiration date. The fact that the 49ers traded Samuel to a conference rival for only a fifth-round pick says it all. They've decided that it was time to move on. Maybe the fresh start will help him. Regardless, it looks like the 49ers wanted to move on a year too early instead of a year too late, and that a divorce may have been a few years coming.
