Cape Hachiman (Katsuura, Chiba)
Encyclopedia
is a cape
on the Pacific Ocean
, in the city of Katsuura
, in the southeast area of Chiba Prefecture
, Japan
. There are two Cape Hachimans located in close proximity to one another: Cape Hachiman in Katsuura, and Cape Hachiman
a few kilometers to the north in Isumi City
. The cape is named after Hachiman
, a mythological Japanese god of archery and war.
tree, an evergreen of the beech family
, and in the tabu species of laurel.
defense at least as early as the Heian period
. The ruins of Katsuura Castle are located prominently on the cape. The castle was built in the 10th century, while Cape Misaki was part of Kazusa Province
. The castle is traditionally thought to be constructed by the Okiyo no Ōkimi clan of Kazusa Province. It was later transferred to the powerful Masaki branch of the Satomi clan
of Awa Province
. In 1549 the Satomi clan relinquished the castle to Toyotomi Hideyoshi
, who destroyed it.
statue of Yōjuin, a favored concubine of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Sotobō Line Katsuura Station
.
Cape
Cape can be used to describe any sleeveless outer garment, such as a poncho, but usually it is a long garment that covers only the back half of the wearer, fastening around the neck. They were common in medieval Europe, especially when combined with a hood in the chaperon, and have had periodic...
on the Pacific Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.At 165.2 million square kilometres in area, this largest division of the World...
, in the city of Katsuura
Katsuura, Chiba
is a city located in southern part of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. Katsuura city is famous for Katsuura Fishing Port, which features one of the top three largest morning markets in Japan. As of February 2010, the city has an estimated population of 20,570 and the density of 218 persons per km²...
, in the southeast area of Chiba Prefecture
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. There are two Cape Hachimans located in close proximity to one another: Cape Hachiman in Katsuura, and Cape Hachiman
Cape Hachiman (Isumi, Chiba)
is a cape on the Pacific Ocean, in the Ōhara area of the city of Isumi, in the southeast area of Chiba Prefecture, Japan. There are two Cape Hachimans located in close proximity to one another: Cape Hachiman in Isumi, and Cape Hachiman a few kilometers to the south in the city of Katsuura City...
a few kilometers to the north in Isumi City
Isumi, Chiba
is a city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan. As of March 1, 2010, the city has a population of 41,014 in an area of 157.50 km².Tōkyō Station is reached from Isumi by express train in 1 hour and 10 minutes via Ōhara Station on the JR East Sotobō Line.-Geography:...
. The cape is named after Hachiman
Hachiman
In Japanese mythology, is the Japanese syncretic god of archery and war, incorporating elements from both Shinto and Buddhism. Although often called the god of war, he is more correctly defined as the tutelary god of warriors. He is also divine protector of Japan and the Japanese people...
, a mythological Japanese god of archery and war.
Geography
The cape consists of steep 40-meter high sea cliffs. It is rich in subtropical vegetation. Especially noteworthy are the CastanopsisCastanopsis
Castanopsis is a genus of evergreen trees belonging to the beech family, Fagaceae. The genus contains about 120 species, which are today restricted to tropical and subtropical eastern Asia. A total of 58 species are native to China, with 30 endemic; the other species occur further south, through...
tree, an evergreen of the beech family
Fagaceae
The family Fagaceae, or beech family, comprises about 900 species of both evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs, which are characterized by alternate simple leaves with pinnate venation, unisexual flowers in the form of catkins, and fruit in the form of cup-like nuts. Fagaceous leaves are often...
, and in the tabu species of laurel.
History
Cape Hachiman was known as a natural point of maritimeMaritime
Maritime is primarily an adjective that describes objects or activities related to the sea.Maritime or Maritimes as a noun may also refer to:-Geography:...
defense at least as early as the Heian period
Heian period
The is the last division of classical Japanese history, running from 794 to 1185. The period is named after the capital city of Heian-kyō, or modern Kyōto. It is the period in Japanese history when Buddhism, Taoism and other Chinese influences were at their height...
. The ruins of Katsuura Castle are located prominently on the cape. The castle was built in the 10th century, while Cape Misaki was part of Kazusa Province
Kazusa Province
was a province of Japan in the area of modern Chiba Prefecture. It lies on in the middle of the Bōsō Peninsula , whose name takes its first kanji from the name of Awa Province and its second from Kazusa and Shimōsa Provinces. Its abbreviated form name was or .Kazusa is classified as one of the...
. The castle is traditionally thought to be constructed by the Okiyo no Ōkimi clan of Kazusa Province. It was later transferred to the powerful Masaki branch of the Satomi clan
Satomi clan
The Satomi clan was a clan of samurai which claimed descent from Nitta Yoshishige , whose son Yoshitoshi took 'Satomi' as his surname. The Satomi moved from Kōzuke province to Awa province in the mid-15th century, and remained there into the Edo Period. During the Sengoku period, the Satomi were...
of Awa Province
Awa Province
Awa Province may refer to:* Awa Province in modern-day Chiba Prefecture* Awa Province in modern-day Tokushima Prefecture...
. In 1549 the Satomi clan relinquished the castle to Toyotomi Hideyoshi
Toyotomi Hideyoshi
was a daimyo warrior, general and politician of the Sengoku period. He unified the political factions of Japan. He succeeded his former liege lord, Oda Nobunaga, and brought an end to the Sengoku period. The period of his rule is often called the Momoyama period, named after Hideyoshi's castle...
, who destroyed it.
Cape Hachiman Park
Cape Hachiman Park was established to include access to the cape, the remains of Katsuura Castle, and the Katsuura Lighthouse. Cape Hachiman is home to a small shrine, the Hachiman Shrine. The park includes the grave of 130 soldiers who died in a shipwreck off the coast of Katsuura during the Boshin War (1868-1869). The park is also home to a large bronzeBronze
Bronze is a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper, usually with tin as the main additive. It is hard and brittle, and it was particularly significant in antiquity, so much so that the Bronze Age was named after the metal...
statue of Yōjuin, a favored concubine of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Transportation
The cape can be accessed via the JR EastEast Japan Railway Company
is the largest passenger railway company in the world and one of the seven Japan Railways Group companies. The company name is officially abbreviated as JR East in English, and as in Japanese. The company's headquarters are in Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo....
Sotobō Line Katsuura Station
Katsuura Station
is a railway station operated by JR East's Sotobō Line located in Katsuura, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. It is 70.9 kilometers from the terminus of the Sotobō Line at Chiba Station.-History:...
.