Kuji, Iwate
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in Iwate
, Japan.
On March 6, 2006 Kuji merged with the village of Yamagata
, from Kunohe District
, to form the new city of Kuji.
After the creation of new Kuji and the incorporation of surrounding villages, the city's population grew to 37,569 people by 2008. The total area for the new Kuji is 623.14 km². The population density for this new area is approximately 60.3 persons per km².
Kuji suffered extensive damage when an earthquake and tsunami
struck Japan on 11 March 2011.
Kuji Amber
Kuji is one of Japan's largest producers of amber
.
Ama Female Divers
Kuji is also known as the Northern Limit of the Ama, female skin divers. Ama dive without breathing aids to depths reaching 10 meters, with the goal of procuring shellfish, seaweed, and pearls. In Kuji, the most acclaimed catch of the Ama is uni, sea urchin
. Kuji Ama also retrieve abalone
and other seafood delicacies which can be eaten fresh at a diving demonstration held during the on season at the Kuji Ama Diving Center. Due to the long winter and harsh climate of the Tohoku region, Ama dives do not occur further north than Kuji city.
Kokujiyaki
Kokujiyaki is a style of ceramic pottery unique to the Kokuji district of Kuji City.
Kosode Coast
Kuji is on the northern reaches of the region known as the "Sanriku Coastline," a stretch of the Northeastern Japanese coast known for its dramatic rock formations and views. Kuji boasts its own slice of the Sanriku coast, called the Kosode Kaigan, or Kosode coast. Kosode is the name of a small fishing community in the coastal mountains of Kuji city.
, since October 1960 Klaipėda
, Lithuania
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
located in Iwate
Iwate Prefecture
is the second largest prefecture of Japan after Hokkaido. It is located in the Tōhoku region of Honshū island and contains the island's easternmost point. The capital is Morioka. Iwate has the lowest population density of any prefecture outside Hokkaido...
, Japan.
History
The city was founded on November 3, 1954. In 2003, the city had an estimated population of 36,596 and the population density of 111.70 persons per km². The total area is 327.62 km².On March 6, 2006 Kuji merged with the village of Yamagata
Yamagata, Iwate
Yamagata was a village located in Kunohe District, Iwate, Japan.As of 2003, the village has an estimated population of 3,188 and a density of 10.79 persons per km². The total area is 295.49 km²....
, from Kunohe District
Kunohe District, Iwate
is a district located in Iwate Prefecture, Japan.The district has two towns and two villages.*Hirono*Karumai*Kunohe*Noda-History:*January 1, 2006 - The municipalities of Ōno and Taneichi merged to form the new town of Hirono....
, to form the new city of Kuji.
After the creation of new Kuji and the incorporation of surrounding villages, the city's population grew to 37,569 people by 2008. The total area for the new Kuji is 623.14 km². The population density for this new area is approximately 60.3 persons per km².
Kuji suffered extensive damage when an earthquake and tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
struck Japan on 11 March 2011.
Culture
For its small size, Kuji boasts a wealth of local specialties and tourist attractions. Most popular and wellknown of these include Kuji amber, Ama diver women, Kokujiyaki ceramic pottery, and the Kosode Coastline, yet there are many other highlights of Kuji City.Kuji Amber
Kuji is one of Japan's largest producers of amber
Amber
Amber is fossilized tree resin , which has been appreciated for its color and natural beauty since Neolithic times. Amber is used as an ingredient in perfumes, as a healing agent in folk medicine, and as jewelry. There are five classes of amber, defined on the basis of their chemical constituents...
.
Ama Female Divers
Kuji is also known as the Northern Limit of the Ama, female skin divers. Ama dive without breathing aids to depths reaching 10 meters, with the goal of procuring shellfish, seaweed, and pearls. In Kuji, the most acclaimed catch of the Ama is uni, sea urchin
Sea urchin
Sea urchins or urchins are small, spiny, globular animals which, with their close kin, such as sand dollars, constitute the class Echinoidea of the echinoderm phylum. They inhabit all oceans. Their shell, or "test", is round and spiny, typically from across. Common colors include black and dull...
. Kuji Ama also retrieve abalone
Abalone
Abalone , from aulón, are small to very large-sized edible sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae and the genus Haliotis...
and other seafood delicacies which can be eaten fresh at a diving demonstration held during the on season at the Kuji Ama Diving Center. Due to the long winter and harsh climate of the Tohoku region, Ama dives do not occur further north than Kuji city.
Kokujiyaki
Kokujiyaki is a style of ceramic pottery unique to the Kokuji district of Kuji City.
Kosode Coast
Kuji is on the northern reaches of the region known as the "Sanriku Coastline," a stretch of the Northeastern Japanese coast known for its dramatic rock formations and views. Kuji boasts its own slice of the Sanriku coast, called the Kosode Kaigan, or Kosode coast. Kosode is the name of a small fishing community in the coastal mountains of Kuji city.
Sister cities
Kuji currently has two sister cities: Franklin, IndianaFranklin, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 19,463 people, 6,824 households, and 4,872 families residing in the city. The population increased by more than 50% during the 1990s , with new residents attracted by jobs in the community, as well as some people commuting to Indianapolis for work. The...
, since October 1960 Klaipėda
Klaipeda
Klaipėda is a city in Lithuania situated at the mouth of the Nemunas River where it flows into the Baltic Sea. It is the third largest city in Lithuania and the capital of Klaipėda County....
, Lithuania
Lithuania
Lithuania , officially the Republic of Lithuania is a country in Northern Europe, the biggest of the three Baltic states. It is situated along the southeastern shore of the Baltic Sea, whereby to the west lie Sweden and Denmark...