Shimane is the "47th-most-famous prefecture in Japan," according to a calendar the prefecture's Tokyo office is selling to promote the relatively low-profile region in western Japan.
"Where in Tottori Prefecture is Shimane?" and "No, we don't have sand dunes," are also among the self-deprecating remarks in the calendar, poking fun at the misconception some people have that Shimane is part of neighboring Tottori, which has some of the largest sand dunes in Japan.
There is pride expressed on the page for October, when, according to a Shinto legend, 8 million deities congregate at the prefecture's famous Izumo Taisha Shrine.
While in the traditional Japanese calendar the month is called Kannazuki, the month of no gods, because they have all gone to Shimane, this calendar calls October Kamiarizuki — the month when the gods are present.
The calendar features drawings of characters from the popular animation "Himitsu Kessha Taka-no Tsume" ("Secret Society Eagle Talon"), including Yoshida, who is a Shimane native.
"The self-deprecating comments in the calendar come from love for our hometown," said Hirotaka Fujihara, who works at the Shimane Prefecture Tokyo Office. "I hope it can draw many people's interest in the prefecture."
The calendar sells for ¥1,680 and can be found at the office's shop in the Nihonbashi district.
