New email, text directs to Yamagato site

New text message this evening:

Check out the profiles on http://yamagatofellowship.org/about/

Thanks to Über Monger for also reporting that a new email has also arrived (has not shown up for everyone), with the subject "riddles":

I am one year younger than Ben Franklin was when he retired from printing.

How many times does Takezo Kensei love?

Benjamin Franklin at Yamagato Fellowship site

Thanks to Michael for reporting an update to the Yamagato Fellowship website:


Benjamin Franklin has been added to the Repository section. As you may recall, Ben Franklin was the main character in this week's graphic novel, "A Lesson in Electricity".

Yamagato Fellowship site updated, new president

Thanks to EricS123 for reporting an update to the Yamagato Fellowship website. Hiro's sister, Kimiko, is now featured on the main page as the new president of the Yamagato Fellowship (as mentioned in today's new graphic novel).

There is a new "Message from the President":

Hello and welcome to the Yamagato Fellowship website. I'm Kimiko Nakamura and as the new President of the Yamagato Fellowship, I invite you to spend a few moments with some of the world's greatest heroes. When my father, Kaito Nakamura, founded the fellowship, he created an online repository to commemorate heroes of legend, myth, and history with the hope of inspiring the heroes of future generations. The Yamagato Fellowship Repository contains heroes who have demonstrated passion and the perseverance for change. Heroes provide us with examples of greatness, which help lend insight into what it means to lead and act with integrity. I have learned from my father the importance of admiring heroes of the past and I hope that with the Yamagato Fellowship I may pass on their stories to each of you. For heroes only exist today because we have chosen to remember and honor them. We must not forget that heroes are all around us: from loving parents and siblings, to devoted doctors, firefighters, soldiers, teachers...leaders.

---

ETA: A new hero has also been added to the Repository section -- Khufu, the Egyptian pharaoh that appeared in last week's graphic novel.

"Takezo Kensei: Sword Saint" new chapters scheduled

The Yamagato Fellowship website has been updated in the new section "Videos/Events". The section now shows that the documentary "Takezo Kensei: Sword Saint" currently has five chapters scheduled to be available. Only the first chapter is available right now, but the second chapter is scheduled to air later today.

They were men of history and legend. Feared for their skill, respected for their honor. But only one was a sword saint. Journey to the past to unlock the secrets of the legendary samurai known as Takezo Kensei.

Chapter 1
THE BATTLE OF TWELVE SWORDS
Airing: 08/27/07

By 1671, Japan's borders were sealed to keep out foreign influence, but the biggest threat didn't come from without... it came from within.
________________
Chapter 2
THE TRIAL OF THE FIRE SCROLL
Airing: 09/04/07

Kensei's trials begin when he starts his quest to find White Beard's secret stronghold.
________________
Chapter 3
THE TRIAL OF THE HIDDEN FORTRESS
Airing: 09/10/07

To locate a hidden fortress, Kensei must first find the missing piece of a crucial map.
________________
Chapter 4
KENSEI AND THE DRAGON
Airing: 09/17/07

Kensei seeks ancient knowledge and sword skills, but the great Dragon of Kiso stands in his way.
________________
Chapter 5
THE MYSTERY OF KENSEI
Airing: 09/24/07

Was Kensei real or a simple folk tale? The answer is as mysterious as the man himself.

Yamagato Fellowship update: "Takezo Kensei: Sword Saint"

The Yamagato Fellowship website has been updated in the new section "Videos/Events". The section features a video clip eith this description:

On August 27th, the Yamagato Fellowship proudly presents the original documentary "Takezo Kensei: Sword Saint"

They were men of history and legend. Feared for their skill, respected for their honor. But only one was a sword saint. Journey to the past to unlock the secrets of the legendary samurai known as Takezo Kensei.

Chapter 1
THE BATTLE OF TWELVE SWORDS
Airing: 08/27/07

By 1671, Japan's borders were sealed to keep out foreign influence, but the biggest threat didn't come from without... it came from within.

YamagatoFellowship.org

YamagatoFellowship.org is now up and running:
The main page displays a message from the founder (Kaito Nakamura) states:

For as long as history has been recorded, it has recorded the story of heroes. Whether it be the myths of those possessing supernatural abilities or the legends of the ordinary finding the extraordinary inside themselves, common strings can be found through all of these tales. The Yamagato Fellowship is dedicated to the study of these heroes - to highlight their courage, their passion and their intellect. By looking into the past, it is our hope that we will all be better equipped to identify and inspire the heroes walking among us today.

The repository of "historical figures whose lives offer a window into what it means to be a hero" features images and descriptions of Beowulf, Crazy Horse, Jason (from Greek mythology), Takezo Kensei, Sir Gawain, and Thor (Norse god).

Currently there's just a "coming soon" message under Videos/Events, but there's a video message from Kaito Nakamura available on the main page. It's entirely in Japanese (no subtitles) but the above message may be the translation. Anyone care to confirm?

(The site address was mentioned in a recent EW feature article.)