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Kuma (球磨郡, Kuma-gun) is a district located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan.

In 2003 the district had an estimated population of 64,552 and a density of 48.64 persons per square kilometer. The total area is 1,327.16 km.

History

This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2011)

Economy

Kuma District is noted for its many shōchū distilleries.

Culture

A local tradition in Kuma District (as well as other neighboring areas in Kumamoto Prefecture) is the sakazuki (さかずき). At social settings such as a party one presents one's empty cup to a friend to hold, into which one then pours some beverage for the friend to drink. After the friend finishes the drink he returns the glass and fills it with more of the beverage.

Language

The local dialect is called Kuma-ben. For example, the Japanese word for hot (熱い) is pronounced "atsui" in standard Japanese, but "ats-ka" or "nuka" in Kuma-ben.

Towns and villages

• Asagiri
• Nishiki
• Taragi
• Yunomae
• Itsuki
• Kuma
• Mizukami
• Sagara
• Yamae

Merger

• On April 1, 2003 the town of Menda, and the villages of Fukada, Ōkaharu, Sue and Ue merged to form the new town of Asagiri.

References

1. About Kuma Shōchū (in English)
2. "だんだんな -田舎暮らしと車と商売- 「さかずき」という風習".

v t e Kumamoto Prefecture
Kumamoto (capital)
Kumamoto	Wards Chūō Higashi Kita Minami Nishi
Cities	Amakusa Arao Aso Hitoyoshi Kami-Amakusa Kikuchi Kōshi Minamata Tamana Uki Uto Yamaga Yatsushiro
Districts	Amakusa District Reihoku Ashikita District Ashikita Tsunagi Aso District Minamioguni Oguni Takamori Minamiaso Nishihara Ubuyama Kamimashiki District Kashima Kōsa Mashiki Mifune Yamato Kikuchi District Kikuyō Ōzu Kuma District Asagiri Nishiki Taragi Yunomae Itsuki Kuma Mizukami Sagara Yamae Shimomashiki District Misato Tamana District Gyokutō Nagasu Nagomi Nankan Yatsushiro District Hikawa
List of mergers in Kumamoto Prefecture

32°16′N 130°53′E / 32.27°N 130.88°E / 32.27; 130.88

• Districts in Kumamoto Prefecture