The blazing 35c afternoon of July 17 witnessed the 32nd running of the Kyushu Hash House Harriers (The Professor’s Return). With Disco A** set on organizing a successful day after a minor fiasco in Miyazaki last month, the group gathered in front of Kumamoto Station among sleeping ojiisans and yelping school girls. The group set out and was quickly confused by the diverging trails and maze of ancient shrines and monuments of the Kitaoka Nature Park. Then it was on through the noodle-thin streets of Yokote Machi. The trails meandered through forgotten toriis and emerged at the newly gutted Shimasaki Quarry (as seen before on Champon Adventures). With an option to bask in the ectoplasmic green waters of the ancient quarry, the hashers made their way east back towards the city. On Home was reached after the trail wound through the raked rock gardens of the Hosokawa Mansion, a bum residence and the massive parking lot for the high school baseball tournament. Everyone found relief in the cool breeze and ample shadiness of Ninomaru Park. As the clouds rolled in and the lightning began, a rousing religion was held. The gods rumbled their approval, for Disco A** had made these hashers smile.
The dirty details:
-25 heads turned out. There were 7 immortals and about 7 virgins along with 4 Miyazakians, a long way from home.
- A more-red-than-usual Alastair finished the course about 10 minutes after Disco A** and caused DA’s heart to jump when he earlier cried in anguish happening upon the YBF.
- No one was overcome by the heat to the point of medical attention. Thanks for doin’ it safe everyone.
- 2 hashers merit special attention for their (before the jump) loins of steel. James and Mark took up my offer of an 8m jump into the quarry lake. Its
- There were 3 immortalizations on the day:
(1) – Alastair was coined “Red Raja” after many stellar hash performances. His blazing red speed and hair to match along with his genealogy of Indian oppression were brought to light.
(2) – Nancy, always bringing her legendary genkiness to each hash was made into Sister “Poo Ticket” —the Japanese toilet paper brand bearing her name(Hello! Nancy!) and its Aussie slang term.
(3) – Miyazaki hare Emily was baptized as “Jacko Flash”. She has previously introduced the hash (and alcohol: one in the same) to young high school boys in MiyaBama. Also quoted was her great hash performances and propensity to shed her inhibitions at various times.
- After about a year hiatus, Professor Quintana marked a successful return to the hash thanks to its Sunday placement.
- A big thanks to everyone who made it out. It’s great to have such numbers and especially a good number of first-timers. Keep spreading the word.
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On the occasion of personally completing 3 happy years on the Kumamoto/Kyushu HHH, I want to share some facts and personal shout outs. Most of this information can be found in the ever-expanding Official Kyushu Hash Excel Spreadsheet. You can see a small sample here or download it from the Kumamoto AJET Yahoo!Groups page. Make it yours today!
This was the 32nd running of the hash. I have been a hare or a co-hare for 10 hashes. I have not missed a hash in the last 3 years here, that’s 24 of them. I’ve also hashed in Hong Kong, Singapore and I will hash soon in Thailand. We have had some excellent hashes this year. 4 out of 9 hashes brought crowds of over 20. The hash is alive and well. Big shouts to Kumamoto Hash founders Austin, aka Sakuraba, and James Ringworm. Also, hash legends Muppet, Fracas, Lettuce, Sonic-san—you’d be proud. I am happy to have continued the tradition during my time in Japan. This has been my livelihood while I have been here and I will miss it. I am confident this strong tradition will continue for many years. Sh*tf*ck, Sliced Bush, Nuck-a-Nuts, Jacko Flash, Bitchiro and all you other immortals that will be sticking around: You have been chosen from many to show others the way. Keep it up here and in Miyazaki and bring it elsewhere. Be proud of who you are, don’t forget your roots and most of all, ON ON!
If you happen to have the picture from the starting box, could you mail it to me or post it in comments? Thanks.
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