Omiyage - Kumamoto

Prefecture: Kumamoto City: Kumamoto City Unique Feature: Katō Kiyomasa

Local Connection:
Hello Kitty is dressed as daimyo Katō Kiyomasa who was a member of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's military during the late 1500s. Later he allied himself with Tokugawa Ieyasu and in return received Higo Province.

As a side note, this is one of the kitties that I would not have purchased had I known its origin at the time. The Japanese invasion of Korea of which Katō Kiyomasa played a part was extremely gruesome. My intention is not to celebrate these acts.

photo is public domain from wikipedia of the statue of Katō Kiyomasa in front of Kumamoto Castle.