No.236 June 2004

In the end of May and beginning of June is the season for the fireflies 

in Japan. It is during this time that in certain cities there are firefly 

festivals. This is not a unique insect only found in Japan, but there are 

over 2000 types of fireflies across the world, and 47 of those can be 

found in Japan. The characteristics of this insect are its elegances as it 

emits light while flying at a slow velocity of 50 cm/second. This 

insect is quite popular amongst the Japanese and for some reason they 

are especially fond of this creature. It was used long ago in songs and 

haiku a poem as a symbol of short-life and through that has captured 

the hearts of the Japanese. 

A Delicate Creature 

Out of the 2000 kinds of fireflies in the world, most mature from 

larvae to imago (mature adults) on land and only 5 kinds are known to 

spend their time as a larvae in the water. 4 of the 5 can be found and 

are commonly known in Japan (Luciola cruciata , 

Luciola lateralis , Kumejima botaru, Iriomote botaru). 

These are quite common because Japan is a water abundant country, 

which is the perfect habitat to foster these types of fireflies. 

The lifespan of a firefly is 1 year. Even though they live for 1 year, 

the illuminance from the mature fireflies can only be seen for a short 

period, 1 week. Most of their life is spent maturing and once mature 

their time left is short and is spent preparing and laying eggs. Their 

characteristic short-life is commonly compared in Japanese society to 

that of their own lives. If an average human lifespan was about 80 

years, the relative lifespan of a firefly would be only 15 months! 

Many Japanese generally call fireflies “hotaru” and the type that is 

most common is the luciola cruciata. The illuminating band of the 

heike botaru is very thin and it has the habit of hovering near the 

ground, therefore it is not easily seen by humans. The hotaria parvula 

kies is a terrestial type that mainly matures on the land 

This month’s National Holiday� 

Edited�and�Issued�monthly�by�FUKUOKA�INTERNATIONAL�ASSOCIATION�Rainbow�Plaza� 

IMS�8F��1-7-11�Tenjin��Chuo-ku��Fukuoka�City�810-0001��Tel�092-733-2220��Fax�092-733-2215�� 

There is no National Holiday in June.� 

therefore is the same as a land firefly. This type of firefly is much 

smaller than the Genji and heike, and is therefore called “hime” 

(meaning “princess”). The male and female Genji and heike can fly. 

The male of the hime botaru type, if the wings have an atrophy it will 

not be able to fly. 

As the natural environment has become smaller due to the invasion of 

humans, the habitat for fireflies has also depleted. It was once before 

that the fireflies would invade the skies, however that is no longer the 

case due to the disappearance of ideal conditions. The fireflies, very 

delicate, require specific conditions in order to inhabit a certain area. 

The following is a list of some of those various living conditions: 

#1 A moderately damp area 

#2 Clean river water 

#3 Water depth within 1 metre 

#4 Gentle flowing water 

#5 Dirt of riverbank where plants grow 

Genji fireflies exist in an environment like #1 where it is not subject to 

much light. There is no chance of drying out and larva can hatch and 

instantly start living in the water. After that living as a larva lasts 

another nine months and they feed on small shellfish called 

semisulcospira libertine . Kawanina feed on alga found 

on the bottom of rocks. It is essential that the alga lives in 

environments such as #2 and #3 where sunlight reaches the bottom of 

the river. If the water is dirty or the river is too deep, sunlight will not 

reach the river bottom. Kawanina are such small shellfish that larvae 

are 0.5mm-1mm, even 

the adults are about a 

1cm. If the current of 

the river is too fast, 

both the firefly and 

shellfish will drift 

No.236� 

June� 

2004� 

This creature exists in what little left nature is 

left. During its life, it is only for a small fraction 

that it illuminates a yellow glow, which lights up 

the night. In the following article we will explore 

the life of a firefly.� 

�continued�on�page�7� 

Rainbow Plaza will be closed 

on June 15th (Tue).� 

Home Page: 

http://www.rainbowfia.or.jp�

2� June 2004� 

FUKUOKA & 

the WORLD� 

23 Countries Sign Bill to Improve the 

Cross Bridge Between Asia 

At the general assembly of the United 

Nations Economic and Social Commission 

for Asia and the Pacific in China, 23 of the 

32 countries represented signed an agreement 

called the “Asia Highway,” which promotes 

the maintenance of the networks of roads, 

with Tokyo as one of the starting points. 

This plan includes the network of Japan to 

Korea, North Korea, China, Afghanistan, etc. 

and will extend over 140,000 kilometers to 

Europe. 

The idea of the Asia Highway was brought 

up in 1952. It has been promoted by ESCAP 

and aims to become the “modern silk road”. 

The agreement requests that countries 

involved maintain each route according to 

the plan’s standard. Use of the existing roads 

have been approved and are almost complete, 

mainly in advanced countries apart from 17% 

which has not been maintained yet. From 

now, with the promotion of 8 countries as 

well as maintenance of the areas still to be 

done, road signs for the Asia Highway (AH) 

will be installed on a total of 55 routes. Of 

the road networks, route 1 based in Tokyo, 

will go through Fukuoka, arrive at Busan by 

Because of the rapid change of season in 

Japan, the change of clothing each season 

may seem hectic to a foreign person. Up 

until the Heian and Edo Periods, seasonal 

change of clothing was carried out twice a 

year in April of the old calendar (late April 

to early May on the current calendar) and 

October (late October to early November on 

the current calendar). Inside the court, not 

only did they change their clothes, but 

furniture, table ware, tatami mats and 

furnishings were also switched each season. 

By the end of the Edo, warrior period, 

seasonal change of clothes four times a year 

had become institutionalized and to this day, 

seasonal change of traditional Japanese 

clothing is carried out four times a year. 

Fitting rooms are called “kouishitsu” in 

Japanese. During the Heian period, the 

person in charge of changing the Emperor’s 

wardrobe was called a “koui”. This term 

started to be used to describe the action of 

changing clothes and eventually this action 

came to be called “koromogae”. The present 

dates for koromogae - the 1st of June and the 

1st of October were put into practice from 

Statistics of Fukuoka City, June, 2004 

Area: 340.00 km 2 (as of August 1st, ‘02), Population (Mar.,’04) : 1,326,875, (Households: 

600,452), Registered Foreigners (Mar.,’04) : 18,854 (Households:11,638), Consumer Price 

Index (Mar.,’04) : 96.0 (100 as of ‘00), Foreign Trade (million ¥, Mar.,’04) : Exports - 143,878 

(Hakata Port - 85,536 / Fukuoka International Airport - 58,342), Imports - 75,015 (Hakata Port 

- 48,413 / International Airport - 26,602) � 

ferry and reach the final destination of West 

Turkey via Seoul, Pyongyang, Beijing and 

Bangkok. 

Hakata DONTAKU, Miss Fukuoka?! 

The 2004 Miss Fukuoka Final was held on 

the 2nd of May as part of the Pre Hakata 

Dontaku Night at the Kyuden Memorial 

Museum. Each year three Miss Fukuoka 

chosen out of ten finalists, go around 

promoting Fukuoka at all sorts of events and 

activities. One of the finalists this year was 

our very own Lisa Dodobara who works at 

the Fukuoka International Association. She 

appeared in a sleek dress and attracted 

attention by greeting the audience in both 

English and Japanese. 

“I would like to promote Fukuoka and get 

more people to know about this great city.” 

Unfortunately Lisa missed out on becoming 

Miss Fukuoka but looks back on the event as 

an interesting and memorable experience. 

Seasonal Change of Clothing 

Preparation for Summer !! 

� 

� � 

the Meiji era. Some places 

which have uniforms such as 

schools, governmental offices 

and banks still carry out this 

practice. These days because of 

global warming it is harder to 

define the change of seasons, therefore 

people change their wardrobe according to 

the climate and koromogae is treated like 

just another old ritual. 

Koromogae is a chance to put away the 

clothes worn during the past season and in 

exchange to bring out clothes to wear for the 

coming season. Whilst folding the clothes to 

put away you notice items which you 

haven’t worn for years and items which have 

never been worn out, and feel a bit guilty. As 

you put away clothes with special memories 

attached to them you realize how much time 

has gone by…. The inherent Japanese sense 

of season is so detailed that it pays attention, 

even to clothing. 

In order to avoid insects and to let your 

clothes rest for half a year put your clothes 

in a well maintained wardrobe with 

mothballs. � 

� 

Information 

From the Fukuoka Labor Bureau 

The advising window for foreign workers is 

located in Inspection Division, Labor 

Standards Department, Fukuoka Labor 

Bureau. They will answer any questions you 

have about working conditions in English 

Address : Inspection Division, Labor 

Standards Department, Fukuoka Labor 

Bureau, Government Office Building 8 th Flr 

(“Godochosha”, in Japanese), 

2-11-1 Hakata-eki-higashi, Hakata-ku, 

Fukuoka-shi, (Zip 812-0013) 

Phone : 411-4862 (ext. 4316) 

Fax : 475-0183 

Counseling hours 9:00��16�00�� 

Every Tuesday�and�Thursday�� 

� 

Please feel free to call or visit our office! 

�

June 2004� 

The month long period beginning in early 

June through till July is the Japanese rainy 

season. The amount of rainfall during these 

two months comes to a quarter of the annual 

total amount of rain. Rainy season in tropical 

areas consist of a few hours of sudden 

downpour and blue skies as though nothing 

happened afterwards. The Japanese rainy 

season can have sudden downpours but 

usually consists of long hours of continual 

light rain. In Kyushu there is a surge of damp 

air called “situzetsu��”, which often 

turns into heavy downpours bringing serious 

damage to various areas. This also increases 

the possibility of water levels rising and 

causing floods so it is a good idea to gather 

information from television and radio. 

The Season of Heavy Mould Infestation 

Warning1: Hanging your washing outside to 

absorb the rays of the sun gives your clothes 

a refreshing feel but during the rainy season 

it can be too cloudy to hang your washing 

outside. Futon and linen which should be 

aired regularly may start to feel damp. Be 

aware of the weather forecast and make sure 

you utilize the rare sunny days to do your 

washing. It is important to air your room, 

futon and linen thoroughly. It is important to 

avoid dampness as much as possible by 

investing in products designed for this 

purpose. 

Japanese “Sunoko”� 

Well ventilated� 

Warning 2: Mould starts growing on 

everything during the damp period. Not only 

does food go bad but mould grows inside 

wardrobes, closets and taps. The bathroom of 

course, is damp and is also full of dust and 

soap particles making it an ideal spot for 

mould to infest. If it is left to grow, it can 

attract harmful insects which feed on the 

mould. Dandruff from human hair is also 

another favorite source of nutrition for mould 

so it is important to clean frequently during 

the rainy season. 

Loss of Appetite ? ! 

In Chinese medicine consuming sweet things 

helps nourish the internal organs. Because 

internal organs prefer dry environments over 

damp ones it is only natural that many people 

loose their appetite during the rainy season. 

In Southeast Asia rain pours down at least 

once a day making the climate very damp. 

For this reason they are in an environment 

where internal organs are more likely to get 

damaged. To avoid loss of appetite due to the 

damp climate they eat coconut milk and 

mango at the end of their meals to help 

nourish the internal organs. But this does not 

mean that sweet food will do the trick. Eating 

too much chocolate and cake which does not 

help hydration will only upset ones health. 

These days we are able to obtain fruit all year 

round with the help of greenhouse 

cultivation. During this season where you can 

easily loose your appetite, it is advised that 

you nourish your body with fresh fruit. � 

Hello! My name is 

Hiromi Abe and it is a 

great pleasure for me to 

introduce myself as the 

new counsellor for 

foreign residents as of 

April 2004. Prior to 

obtaining this position, 

I would visit the Rainbow Plaza as a patron to 

check out the bulletin board and acquire 

information. Realizing that I am no longer a 

patron but a staff member of the Plaza is like 

a dream to me. I would like to do my best to 

provide all of you with the necessary support. 

So what do you do when you are troubled, 

worried, or have lost your way? For example, 

some may consolidate with teachers, coworkers, 

friends, or family, gather 

information from books or the internet, go out 

to see a movie, etc. Other than those options, 

receiving counselling is one of them. Even 

though some may think that they would like 

New Counsellor, Rainbow Plaza 

Internet cafés 

�� 

�� 

3� 

HP: http://www.cybac.com/flash/index1.html 

(Tenjin Branch) 

HP: http://www.cybac.com/tenjin/ 

Kawamura Bldg. 2F, 3-2-22 Tenjin, Chuo-ku 

Tel: 0120-24-3189 

(Nishi-dori Branch) 

HP: http://www.cybac.com/nishidori/ 

21 Line Bldg. 7F-8F,1-15-1 Daimyo, Chuo-ku 

Tel: 0120-24-3189 

(Nishijin Branch) 

HP: http://www.cybac.com/nishijin/ 

4-6-9 Nishijin, Sawara-ku 

Tel: 0120-24-3189 

�� 

HP: http://www.futabatosho.co.jp/1-3-51.html 

MMT Building B1,1-10-13 Tenjin, 

Chuo-ku Tel: 739-3830 

�� 

HP: http://www.media-cafe.net/ 

(Tenjin Branch) 

Nishitetsu Imaizumi Bldg. 2F, 1-12-23 

Imaizumi, Chuo-ku 

Tel: 737-7744 

(Hakata Branch) 

Fukuoka Kotsu Center Bldg. 8F, 2-1 

Hakataeki Chuogai, Hakata-ku 

Tel: 432-8788 

(Nakasu Branch) 

Spoon Bldg. 8F, 5-1-7 Nakasu, Hakata-ku 

Tel: 283-9393� 

counselling, most people, Japanese and 

foreign residents alike, end up trying to deal 

with it themselves. Many people have 

different images of counselling. The 

counselling which is provided at Rainbow 

Plaza respects clients (persons and people 

involved like family and partners) 

confidentiality. My purpose is to listen to and 

help identify problems one may have at work, 

home, or in school. If necessary, I will 

provide information on the people to talk to 

or assist one with devising a positive way to 

help resolve their troubles. This is one of the 

many different purposes of counselling. If 

any of you are interested in receiving 

counselling, please contact the Rainbow 

Plaza. I am here to help! 

� Counselling schedule � 

Mon 10:00�13:00 

Wed 10:00�16:45 

Sat 14:30�19:00 

(1st & 3rd) 16:15�19:00


Coming Soon !� 

�The prices quoted here may or may 

not include the 5% consumption tax.� 

CONCERTS: 

NATALIE COLE 

Jazz Vocals 

June 5 (Sat) & June 6 (Sun): 

1st Open 4:30p.m. / Start 5:45p.m. 

2nd Open 7:30p.m. / Start 8:45p.m. 

June 7 (Mon): 



Fukuoka Blue Note 

¥13,000 

JAY WALK -Tour�2004- 

June 19 (Sat), 6:30p.m. 

Zepp Fukuoka 

¥6,300 

*Required to buy at least 1 drink 

CINDI LAUPER 

June 24 (Thu), 7:00 p.m. 

Fukuoka Civic Hall 

¥7,800 

JANET KAY with special guest Thriller U 

Reggae Special 

June 25 (Fri): 



June 26 (Sat): 



Fukuoka Blue Note 

¥9,500 

OSVALDO MONTES ORCHESTRA 

- El Tango 2004 - 

June 29 (Tue), 2:00p.m. & 6:45p.m. 

ACROS Fukuoka Event Hall 

S.¥5,000 A.¥4,000 B.¥3,000 

BOYS II MEN 

July 1 (Thu), 6:30p.m. 

Fukuoka Sun Palace 

S.¥8,000 A.¥7,000 etc� 

YOSHIDA BROTHERS 

Tsugaru Shamisen “Live Renaissance” 

July 4 (Sun), 5:30p.m. 

Fukuoka Symphony Hall 

S.¥6,000 A.¥5,000 B.¥4,000 

DAMASO PEREZ PRADO ORCHESTRA 

July 8 (Thu), 6:30p.m. 


S.¥5�500 A.¥4�500 B.¥3,500 

BACHORCHESTER 

DES GEWANDHAUSES ZU LEIPZIG 

- J.S. Bach: Brandenburg Concertos- 

July 16 (Fri), 6:45p.m. 


S.¥8,000 A.¥7,000 B.¥6,000 C.¥5,000 

D.¥4,000 Students. ¥2,000 

� EVENTS: 

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR - 

Musical 

Shiki Theatre Company 

Thru. June 13 (Sun) 

1:30p.m., 2:00p.m., 5:30p.m., 7:00 p.m. 

Fukuoka City Theater 

S.¥10,500 A.¥8,400 B.¥5,250 C.¥3,150 

URL:http://www.shiki.gr.jp 

TURTLE EXHIBITION 

Thru. Aug. 31 (Tue) 

Umi-no-nakamichi Marine World 

Adults.¥2,100 J.H. Students.¥1,150 

Elem. S. Students. ¥800 Under. ¥500 

LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE 

MONTE CARLO 

June 16 (Wed), 7:00p.m. 


S.¥7,000 A.¥6,000 B.¥5,000 

- LE NOZZE DI FIGARO - 

Opera 

Teatro Lirico Sperimentale di 

Spoleto “A. Belli” 

W. A. Mozart 

June 25 (Fri), 6:30p.m. 


SS.¥18,000 S.¥16,000 A.¥14,000 

B.¥12,000 C.¥10,000 D.¥8,000 

- YUTA AND ENCHANTING FRIENDS - 

Musical 

Shiki Theatre Company 

June 29 (Tue) - July 22 (Thu) 

1:00p.m., 1:30p.m., 5:30p.m., 6:30p.m. 

Fukuoka City Theater 

S.¥9,450 A.¥7,350 B.¥5,250 C.¥3,150 

URL:http://www.shiki.gr.jp 

BALLET CRISTINA HOYOS 

July 8 (Thu), 6:30p.m. 

Fukuoka Civic Hall 

SS.¥12,000 S.¥10,000 A.¥8,000 B.¥6,000 

Students. ¥4,000 

- NUTCRACKER - 

Vaganova Ballet Academy 

July 17 (Sat), 6:30p.m. 

Fukuoka�Sun Palace 

S.¥10,000 A.¥8,000 B.¥6,000 C.¥4,000 

HAKATA YAMAKASA 

ORGINAL “NOH” 

Sep. 11 (Sat), 4:59p.m. 


S.¥12,000 A.¥10,000 B.¥8,000 C.¥6,000 

Students. ¥3,000 

*Advance ticket now on sale 

Ohori Koen Noh Theater� 

1-5 Ohori-Koen Park, Chuo-ku 

Open 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

(Closed Mondays) Tel��092-715-2155 

MIXED SCHOOL 

Group of “Noh, Kyogen ni Miserarete” 

(NOH, KYOGEN, SHIMAI) 

June 2 (Wed), 6:30p.m.-8:30p.m. 

¥3,000 (Door. ¥3,500) 

OHKURA SCHOOL 

Group of Fukuoka Kyogen 

(KYOGEN) 

June 13 (Sun), 12:00p.m.-4:30p.m. 

Admission Free 

KANZE SCHOOL 

Minazuki no kai 

(NOH, KYOGEN, SHIMAI) 

June 20 (Sun) 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. 

S.¥7,000 A.¥6,000 General. ¥5,000 

(Door. ¥6,000) Students. ¥3,000 etc. 

KANZE SCHOOL 

Kyushu Gakusei Nohgaku Renmei 

(SHIMAI, SUUTAI, MAIBAYASHI) 

June 26 (Sat), 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m. 

Admission Free 

EXHIBITIONS: 

Fukuoka City Museum� 

3-1-1 Momochihama, Sawara-ku 

Open 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 

(Closed Mondays) 

http://museum.city.fukuoka.jp 

SPECIAL EXHIBITION ROOMS: 

Adults. ¥1,000 Univ.& H.S. Students. ¥700 

J�H�S� Students. & under. Free 

HIRAGA GENNAI 

“Japanese Leonardo da Vinci” 

Thru. July 4. (Sun) 

PERMANENT EXHIBITION ROOMS: 

Adults. ¥200 Univ. & H.S. Students. ¥150 

J.H.S. Students & under. Free 

WAR AND OUR LIVES 13 

June 8 (Tue) - July 11 (Sun) 

HAKATA GION YAMAKASA 13 

TEMPLES & SHRINES in MODERN 

HAKATA AND YAMAKASA MAP 

June 1 (Tue) - July 19 (Mon-Holiday) 

Q&A STATUE OF BUDDHA 


ARCHEOLOGY OF HAKOZAKI 


Fukuoka Art Museum� 

1-6 Ohori-koen Park, Chuo-ku 

Open 9:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. 


http://www.fukuoka-art-museum.jp� 

� 

Special Exhibition Rooms 

Adult. ¥1,300 Univ. & H.S. Student. ¥900 

J.H.S. & Elem. School Student. ¥400


TREASURES FROM THE WORLD’S 

CULTURES:THE BRITISH MUSEUM 

AFTER 250 YEARS 

Thru. June 13(Sun) 

Permanent Exhibition Rooms 

Adults. ¥200 Univ. & H.S. Students. ¥150 

J.H.S. Students. & under. Free 

Fukuoka Asian Art Museum� 

7 & 8 F, River Site, Hakata Riverain, 3-1 

Shimokawabata-machi, Hakata-ku 

Open 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

(Closed Wednesdays) 

http://faam.city.fukuoka.jp 

Adults. ¥200 Univ., H.S. ¥150 

J.H.S & under. Free 

Exhibition & Artists’ Gallery 

COMMEMORATING THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY 

OF CHIKUYO GAKUEN HIGH SCHOOL 

STUDENT INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE ART 

EXHITIBION - FOR THE CHINA - KOREA - 

JAPAN MUTUAL FRIEND SHIP 

June 3 (Thu) - June 15 (Tue) 

SHIBORI COMMUNITY JOINT EXHIBITION 

June 17 (Thu) - June 27 (Sun) 

Asia Gallery A & B 

HUMAN FORM - EXPRESSIONS OF 

BODY IN ART 

Thru. Jun 22 (Tue) 

SWIMABOUT - WATER AND SEA IN 

ARTWORKS 

June 24 (Thu) - Sep. 28 (Tue) 

ASIAN ART SHOW II: FROM THE 2ND 

ASIAN ART SHOW (1985) 

Thru. Jun 15 (Tue) 

ANIMAL FAAM 

June 17 (Thu) - Sep.14 (Tue) 

Fukuoka Pref. Museum of Art� 

5-2-1�Tenjin��Chuo-ku� 

Open 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 


http://fpmahs1.fpart-unet.ocn.ne.jp 

Permanent Exhibition Rooms 

Adults. ¥210, H.S. Students. ¥140 

J.H.S. & Elem. Students. ¥60 

Special � Feature � “HUMAN BEING IN 

VARIOUS SITUATIONS” 

Thru. July 11 (Sun) 

Artium� 

IMS 8F, 1-7-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku 

Open 10:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. 

http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/jigyou/artium/ 

artium.html 

THE NEW IDENTITY : PART 5 

“TRACING SELF” 

Thru. Jun 20 (Sun) 

Adults. ¥400, Students. ¥300 

��Chang�Hsing-yu� 

SPORTS:� 

 

FUKUOKA DAIEI HAWKS 

HOME GAMES (June) 

vs. CHIBA LOTTE MARINES 

June 1 (Tue) 6:00p.m. 

vs. ORIX BLUEWAVE 

June 11 (Fri)�& 12 (Sat) 6:00p.m. 

June 13 (Sun) 1:00p.m. - daytime game 

vs. OSAKA KINTETSU BUFFALOES 

June 16 (Wed) 6:00p.m. 

vs. HOKKAIDO NIPPON-HAM FIGHTERS 

June 22 (Tue) & 23 (Wed) 6:00p.m. 

Venue: FUKUOKA DOME 

S.¥5,300 A.¥4,000 B.¥2,500 

Right field bleachers ¥1,500 Left ¥1,000 

 

AVISPA FUKUOKA 

HOME GAMES (June) 

vs. MITO HOLLY HOCK 

June 5 (Sat) 2:00p.m. 

vs. SAGAN TOSU 

June 12 (Sat) 2:00p.m. 

vs. KAWASAKI FRONTALE 

June 26 (Sat), 2:00p.m. 

Venue: HAKATA-NO-MORI 

SS¥3,000, SA¥2,500 

General Admission ¥1,000 

MOVIES: 

*Movies not in English are designated by the 

following codes: (C)-Chinese, (F)-French, (I)- 

Italian, (J)-Japanese, (K)-Korean, (S)-Spanish, 

(R)-Russian, (G)-German. 

Schedule subject to change without notice. 

NAKASU TAIYO (��291-4058�� 

Scheduled in June 

“TROY” 

“21 GRAMS” 

“THE LADYKILLERS” 

“HARRY POTTER AND PRISONER OF 

AZKABAN” 

“CUTIE HONEY”(J) 

TENJIN�TOHO��762-6666�� 


“THE HAUNTED MANSION” 

“BIG FISH” 

5� 

“DAWN OF THE DEAD” (R-15) 

“EMPELOR’S CLUB” 

“THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW” 

“BROTHERHOOD” (K) 

“THE RUNDOWN” 

“THE MEDALLION” 

CINETERRIE TENJIN 

(�� 781-5508�� 


“LOST IN TRANSLATION” 

“IO NON HO PAURA” (I) 

“KAREL ZEMAN PETROSPEKTIVE” (Czech) 

“BAD GUY” (K) 

“H” (K)� 

SOLARIA CINEMA 

(��733-7375�� 


“CRIMSON RIVERS 2” (F) 

“MYSTIC RIVER” 

“COLD MOUNTAIN” 

“THE SCHOOL OF ROCK” 

“THE HUMAN STAIN”� 

AMC CANAL CITY 13 THEATERS 

(AMC��272-2222�� 


“TROY” 


“JEEPERS CREEPERS” 

“UNTOLD SCANDAL” (K) (R-18) 


“CALENDER GIRLS” 

“CRIMSON RIVERS II” (F) 



“SILMIDO” (K) 

“AVENGING ANGELO” 

“THE MEDALLION” 

“THE HUMAN STAIN” 

“HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF 

AZKABAN” 

“THE GOOD GIRL” 

UNITED CINEMAS FUKUOKA 

(�� 

844-5645��771-8600�� 





“CRIMSON RIVER 2” (F) 


“SILMIDO” (K) 


“THE HUMAN STAIN” 

“SWIMMING POOL” (F) 

“HARRY POTTER AND THE PRIZONER OF 

AZKABAN” 

CINE SALON PAVERIA 

(��852-5650�� 


“RESURREZIONE” (I) 

“GOMSHODEI DEAR ARAQ” (Kurdish) 

“OWL” (J) 

KBC CINEMA (KBC��751-4268�� 


“THE UNINVITED” (K) 

“L’ AUBERGE ESPAGNOLE” (F) 

“LES INVASIONS BARBARES” (F) 

“ELEPHANT” (R-15) 

CINE LIVRE HAKATA STATION 

(��434-3691�� 



“ADDICTED”(K) 

“SWIMMING POOL” (F) 

“LE PAPILLON” (F)


BULLETIN�BOARD� 

� 

� 

�Note: All phone numbers given are within �� the 

092 area, unless otherwise indicated. 

SECOND-HAND 

FURNITURE & APPLIANCES 

FOR OVERSEAS STUDENTS 

Rainbow Plaza and Toshikankyo (Urban 

Environment) Corporation will offer 

overseas students used furniture and 

household appliances, collected through 

Recycle Telephone Fukuoka. 

*Apply at Rainbow Plaza from 

June 11(Fri) 10a.m. - 13 (Sun) 4p.m. 

ITEMS THIS MONTH 

��Clothes Box ��Sofa�� 

��Foldable Bed ��Range Rack 

��Aerobike��Display Shelf� 

��Table��Chest (Cane) 

��Bench (Cane)��Clothes Box (Cane)� 

��Sofa� ��Aerobike� 

For more information: Rainbow Plaza 

Tel: 733-2220 

HEALTH CONSULTATION 

at Rainbow Plaza 

This program is to provide health counseling 

for foreigners, free of charge. If you are 

worried about how to control your health or 

which hospital, clinic or doctor to go to while 

in Japan, this is the service for you. There is 

currently a Japanese/English speaking 

volunteer doctor available, who provides 

advice. If you are a foreign resident with 

medical concerns or problems and are 

seeking advice, please give us a visit. 

Confidentiality is guaranteed and an 

appointment is not required. Consultation 

only. No medical treatments or prescriptions 

will be provided. 

Date & Time: Every Wednesday 

5:00 - 7:00p.m. 

Place: Rainbow Plaza 8F IMS Bldg. 

No Charge 

For more information: Rainbow Plaza 

Tel: 733-2220 

FREE COUNSELING at Rainbow Plaza 

Rainbow Plaza offers free legal and 

personal counseling for foreign residents of 

Fukuoka. The matters discussed here will be 

kept strictly confidential. 

1) Legal Counseling 

Upcoming Dates: June 5 (Sat) & 19 (Sat) 

Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

Counselors: Lawyers from the Fukuoka 

Prefecture Bar Association. 

An interpreter will be provided upon request. 

Appointments are limited to four per day, 

and counseling is offered for 45 minutes per 

person including interpreting. 

2) Personal Counseling 

Available with an English-speaking 

professional. 

*To make an appointment for the above two 

services, please contact Rainbow Plaza many 

weeks in advance by telephone (733-2220) or 

in person at the information counter. 

3) Free consultation on Immigration, 

Residency, and Nationality 

An Immigration Attorney, specializing in 

laws regarding entry, residence, and 

necessary procedures in Japan, can provide 

you with advice or answer any questions 

concerning status of residence, period of 

stay, alien registration, naturalization, 

international marriage, and so on. 

Time: 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Every 2nd Sunday 

Place: Rainbow Plaza 

Consultation fee: FREE 

Reservation: NOT required 

PRIVACY guaranteed 

INFORMATION� 

1) ASIAN-PACIFIC CHILDREN’S 

CONVENTION IN FUKUOKA NEEDS 

YOU!! 

APCC is an NPO based in Fukuoka that 

organizes a variety of international exchange 

programs. APCC is recruiting new 

volunteers of all ages who desire to support 

international activities on a regular basis. 

APCC activities take part on the weekends 

and in the evenings. For more information to 

find out about APCC and its activities: 

Fukuoka City Hall, North Annex 5F, 1-10-1 

Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 

Tel: 734-7700 Fax: 734-7711 

E-Mail: info@apcc.gr.jp 

URL: http://www.apcc.gr.jp 

2) MOO-MOO�LAND�ABURAYAMA 

FARM 

“Aburayama Shimin no Mori” 

Hiking, flower-watching, barbeque etc… 

Everyday event: 

Horseback Riding: 11:00am, 2:30pm 

¥500 

*above 4yrs old 

Cow Milking: 10:00am, 1:30pm 

Free of charge 

*First 100 arrivals ONLY 

Sunday & Holiday event: 

Class for butter making: 2:00p.m. 

¥500 

*First 30 arrivals ONLY 

Place: Moo-Moo Land, Aburayama Farm 

710-2 Nichiyamada, Kashiwara, Minami-ku, 

Fukuoka 

Inquiry: Tel. 865-7020 (in Japanese) 

Closed Wednesdays. 

3) SEEKING FOR PERFORMERS AT 

FLEA MARKET. 

Nishinihon Citizen’s Recycle Movement is 

seeking for people to perform at TNC and 

KOKURA flea markets. They welcome 

chorus, fashion show, comedic storytelling, 

pantomime, and more. No compensation 

will be given. If you are interested in 

performing at flea market, please call, fax, or 

e-mail� : 

Nishinihon Citizen’s Recycle Movement 

Tel: 752-7761 / Fax: 752-7766 

URL: http://www.kurukuru.net 

E-Mail: info@kurukuru.net 

FLEA MARKET INFORMATION� 

1�Flea Market at THE MALL KASUGA 

Date: June 5 (Sat) 

Time: 9:00a.m. - 3:00p.m. 

Place: Parking Lot of The Mall Kasuga 

�Get off at Kasuga 4-chome 

2) Flea Market in NISHI-FUKUOKA 

Date: June 6 (Sun) 

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Place: Konami Sports Nishi-Fukuoka 

Parking Lot 

�Get off at Fukushige 

3) Flea Market in NAGAHAMA 

Date: June 12 (Sat) 

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Place: Sousaku Soumen Shimabara no Ran 

�Get off at Nagahama 1-chome 

4)Flea Market at TNC, Momochi 

Date: June 5 (Sat), 6 (Sun), 19(Sat) 

& 20 (Sun) 

Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 

Place: In Front of TNC Broadcasting Bldg. in 

Momochihama 

�Get off at Fukuoka Tower South Exit 

*For more information: 

Nishinihon Citizen’s Recycle Movement 

Tel: 752-7761 http://www.kurukuru.net 

Place: Hakozaki-gu Shrine 

(Oshioihama Hiroba) 

SUPER DISCOUNT TICKETS!� 

*HONG KONG............. ¥38,000 

*SINGAPORE............... ¥42,000 

*BANGKOK ................. ¥45,000 

*DENPASAR................. ¥51,000 

*HONOLULU............... ¥53,000 

*LOS ANGELES .......... ¥54,000 

*EUROPE...................... ¥61,000� 

�ANY DESTINATION ARE AVAILABLE. 

PLEASE CALL US NOW!! 

LEISURE PLAN CO., LTD. 

ACROS BLDG. 3F. 092-725-9090 

http://www.ontheday.co.jp/ 

Email: info@ontheday.co.jp 

MAKI�


�continued�from�page�1� 

away. If the river is meandering like #4 they 

can sit still in the area where the current 

changes. 

The firefly larva obtains oxygen from gills 

on the surface of its body but because it 

cannot swim like a fish to make oxygen flow 

into the gills, it uses the gradual flow of the 

river to do so. If the river is too still it cannot 

breathe at all but if the currents are too 

strong it will drift away. As a larva, the 

firefly will shed its shell six times and 

surface after nine months, around April. 

Even after surfacing it will become a 

chrysalis and stay in the soil to keep warm 

for a while. The firefly cannot become a 

chrysalis in environments like #5 where 

there is only man made concrete and no soil. 

What a fragile being. Heike Fireflies have 

more ability to survive in comparison to 

Genji and can survive in ditches of rice 

paddys and drains. But after rice harvesting, 

water supply to the fields of rice get stopped 

and because of shortages in water, concrete 

ditches are used instead. For this reason 

Heike are smaller in numbers incomparison 

to Genji. 

Approximately two months after this, 

around late May to early June, the chrysalis 

becomes an imago and flies around showing 

off its beautiful light to us. 

The Truth about the Fireflies Light 

It is not only the adult fireflies which emit 

light, larva also emit light as they breathe. 

This light is not as beautiful as that of an 

adult but is a dim light which they emit as 

they surface. This scene is very spiritual. 

Adult fireflies emit light for a very important 

reason, for species preservation. Females 

rarely fly around and wait patiently for males 

underneath leaves and in the shade. The 

fireflies we get to see are mostly males 

which emit light to appeal to the females. 

Female and male fireflies have different light 

patterns which able them to signal each other 

and let them know if they are of the same 

species before mating. In a sense, the light of 

fireflies is like a courtship dance which 

expresses the depth of their feelings. 

�Hotaru-no�Sato : 15 minutes from kami-saigo intersection 

�Yurarinko-bashi : 10 minutes from JR DAINYU Stn. 

�Ino�Shrine : 5 minutes from Nishitetsu Ino B.S. 

�Seiryukan : 15 minutes from Nishitetsu TERAUCHI damu B.S. 

�Shimonohata : Tenjin, or Nishijin (No.3,14,200) — Sawara eigyo-sho (No.3) — Magaribuchi 

* Special bus at 18:00 and 19:00 from Nishijin Paresu — Kamiishigama, � 

�Nakanoshima park : Tenjin — Ohashi Ohashi ekimae (No.62) — Ichinose 

:Route No.3 : by car : by walk :by Nishitetsu Bus :by Nishitetsu train� 

Vigorous Mating Behavior 

The newly formed couple’s next step…. 

mating, is very vigorous. The male climbs 

onto the back of the female which is bigger 

than him and starts mating. The two fireflies 

will stay still for a little while but eventually 

the male will climb off and face its behind 

towards her behind. They change position 

but continue mating. They will continue 

from dawn till the sun comes out and move 

into the shade, still mating the whole time. 

After such a long period of being a larva and 

Eat for life !� 

Newborn firefly larva eat newborn 

semisulcospira libertine shellfish, 

(Kawanina) according to the size of their 

body and eat bigger Kawanina as they grow. 

Genji larva also have teeth but these are not 

for biting like other animals but for holding 

down Kawanina as they produce a deadly 

liquid and melt them. They then consume the 

dissolved Kawanina. Consuming the 

Kawanina is not that easy as they have a top 

shell which acts like a lid and can protect 

them from invasion. Sometimes a newborn 

larva will loose its life by attempting to 

catch a Kawanina and getting sandwiched 

instead. 

7� 

such a short time spent as an adult, it is as 

though they cherish this time. They go on for 

at least a few hours, sometimes up to two 

whole days! 

Fireflies from other Countries are 

a little Different 

Fireflies are very emotional and literary 

creatures in Japan but in North America 

there is an unbelievable type of firefly which 

mimics the light pattern of other species to 

catch and eat them. The female Phouturis 

Versicolor pretends to be a member of a 

different species. She will mimic the light 

pattern, wait for the male to approach and 

like a cat, pounce on the innocent victim. 

She sucks out the liquid from her victim only 

leaving the legs and eyes which are too 

tough to eat. It may seem cruel but while 

�continued�on�page�8�


exchanging light signals, most males realize 

that it is an enemy and fly away. The male 

probably has trick codes to test the prospect 

and to define whether it is a member of his 

species. 

In Southeast Asia, unlike Japanese fireflies 

with random signals they signal on and off in 

a blinking manner, like a light switch. In 

Malaysia and the Philippines, thousands of 

fireflies sit on big leaves and emit light at the 

same time in the same pattern. This is almost 

like watching a giant Christmas tree. 

These fireflies which emit beautiful light are 

A firefly coming towards the camera� 

by Seigo Sakai� 

constantly the target of other creatures. It is 

rare that they will stand out as a larva but as 

an adult, spiders, crabs and grasshoppers 

become their main enemies. Fireflies have 

little energy left after mating and laying eggs 

and are mostly destined to become meals for 

their enemies. Fireflies produce odors or 

sticky liquid in defense so often they do not 

end up being eaten. 

Firefly Festival 

Here I would like to introduce two major 

firefly spots near Fukuoka City. 

Monthly 

flower� 

�Shimonohata, Sawara-ku, 

Sawara-ku town planning section, 

Ph 841-2131 

You will be able to see fireflies for 300m 

starting at Oohata Hotarubashi Bridge, 

upstream along Muromigawa River. There is 

no firefly festival as such but the area is full 

of people observing fireflies around late may 

to early June every year. 

�Ichinose, Nakagawamachi 

Nakanoshima Park, Nakagawamachi Yakuba 

Industries Division, Ph 953-2211 

Nakanoshima Park right next to the 

Nishitetsu Ichinose bus stop along National 

highway 385, holds an annual firefly festival 

from June 5 (Sat) till 13 (Sat). Local citizens 

have fresh vegetable and Japanese cake stalls 

as well as photo exhibitions recording the 

lifecycle of a firefly. A firefly tour is held on 

June 6 (Sun) from 7 p.m., where you can 

watch videos and presentations by primary 

school children. The staff will also take you 

to the best spots for observing actual 

fireflies. 

Because there are often no parking spots 

available, there are problems of major traffic 

jams around this time of year. Furthermore 

local citizens are getting fed up because there 

are many rude people who litter cans and 

cigarette buts. When going to view fireflies it 

is important to try and preserve a 

comfortable living environment for the 

delicate creatures. Decrease traffic by 

utilising Nishitetsu tour buses and make sure 

you take responsibility for your own litter 

and take it home. 

Hydrangea 

�� 

�� 

Blooming period is from June to mid July, exactly the same as the rainy 

season. Hydrangeas cannot handle the sunlight, the bright blue flower grows 

vividly in the shade. The Japanese name for hydrangea is ajisai. The word 

ajisai can be divided into two parts, “aji” which means gather and “sai” 

which means indigo. Therefore the word means gathering blue flowers. What 

look like beautiful petals are actually the calyx and the flowers are the small 

dots inside. An active Dutch doctor during the Edo period, Seybold had a 

strong interest in this flower and even tried to name it after his lover but was 

not successful. In the language of flowers the meaning is “Patient love and 

vigorous woman.” �

No.236 June 2004

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?