Uwajima, Ehime
Encyclopedia
is a city
located in Ehime
, Japan
. In 1595, what is now Uwajima was known as Itajima village. Takatora Tohdo became lord of the Uwa region, and ordered the restoration of Marugushi Castle. The city was founded by the mergers of the city of Uwajima and parts of former Kitauwa District
.
After Date Hidemune
, the eldest son of Date Masamune
, a prominent lord in northern Japan, took over Uwa in 1614, the clan strongly promoted Uwajima Castle as a center of industry, education, and culture.
In 1871 Uwa became Uwajima Prefecture. The following year it was renamed Kamiyama Prefecture. In 1873, Kamiyama Prefecture was combined with Ishizuchi Prefecture. After Ehime Prefecture
was established, the capital was moved to Matsuyama
to the north.
Uwajima castle is also worth a visit.
Uwajima is home to an unusual fertility
shrine called Taga Shrine, which features a large, realistic phallus carved from a log approximately 9 feet in length, 1 foot in diameter. Next to the shrine is a graphic sex museum, filled with artifacts and paintings from around the world.
Every July a festival is held in Uwajima known as "Ushioni Festival," "Gaiya Festival," or the "Warei Shrine Festival." Among the festivities are ushioni teams parading down the street, a dance contest to the town song known as the "Gaiya" dance, traditional dancing, and a bullfight. The word "Gaiya" is in a local dialect, approximately translating to "awesome" in English.
The city is known for bullfighting
, which differs from the more widely-known Spanish
bullfights in that there is no matador
. Two bulls fight in a ring until one bull's knees touch the ground or flees, marking it the loser. Bullfights are generally held in January, April, July, and August.
The author of the Japanese novel "Socrates in Love
" is from Uwajima. The novel was later turned into a movie.
A famous product (meibutsu
) of Uwajima is jakoten
, a type of fried kamaboko
.
Locals are known to frequent these establishments, among others:
Flowers: Kazahana
Izakaya: Ichi
Salon: oasis hair & relaxation
Bar: TE-TSU
Gourmet: Violin D'Ingres
is approximately 200 km², and is therefore a significant portion of Uwajima's current land area, despite not being highly populated (fewer than 15,000 people). It's made up of a number of small villages that shared a municipal government as Tsushima until they were amalgamated into Uwajima.
Tsushima is known for the Iwamatsu River and the festival they have each year where people eat tiny, live fish.
They are also known for pearl farming and fish farming as well as being part of the prefecture's mikan
industry.
Nanrakuen Park is a beautiful place; there is also a children's amusement area called Playland across the street.
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 Ehime
Ehime Prefecture
is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province...
, 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...
. In 1595, what is now Uwajima was known as Itajima village. Takatora Tohdo became lord of the Uwa region, and ordered the restoration of Marugushi Castle. The city was founded by the mergers of the city of Uwajima and parts of former Kitauwa District
Kitauwa District, Ehime
The is a district located in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 17,299. The total area is 340.37 km².The district has two towns:*Kihoku*Matsuno-History:...
.
After Date Hidemune
Date Hidemune
was a Japanese daimyo of the early Edo period. He was the eldest son of Date Masamune, born in 1596 by Lady Iisaka . Coming of age while living with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he received a character from Hideyoshi's name and took the adult name of Hidemune...
, the eldest son of Date Masamune
Date Masamune
was a regional strongman of Japan's Azuchi-Momoyama period through early Edo period. Heir to a long line of powerful daimyo in the Tōhoku region, he went on to found the modern-day city of Sendai...
, a prominent lord in northern Japan, took over Uwa in 1614, the clan strongly promoted Uwajima Castle as a center of industry, education, and culture.
In 1871 Uwa became Uwajima Prefecture. The following year it was renamed Kamiyama Prefecture. In 1873, Kamiyama Prefecture was combined with Ishizuchi Prefecture. After Ehime Prefecture
Ehime Prefecture
is a prefecture in northwestern Shikoku, Japan. The capital is Matsuyama.-History:Until the Meiji Restoration, Ehime prefecture was known as Iyo Province...
was established, the capital was moved to Matsuyama
Matsuyama, Ehime
is the capital city of Ehime Prefecture on the Shikoku island of Japan. It is located on the northeastern portion of the Dōgo Plain. Its name means "pine mountain." The city was founded on December 15, 1889....
to the north.
After becoming a city
- 1921: The city of Uwajima was founded after annexing the village of Yahata
- 1934: The city was extended by combining Kushima Village in 1934 and renovating the bay area for factory usage
- 1945: The center of the city was largely destroyed by bombing. However, post-war reconstruction was remarkable, and the city recovered admirably.
- 1955: Miura and Takamitsu villages merged
- 1974: Uwaumi village merged
After the second founding
- August 1, 2005: Uwajima absorbed the towns of MimaMima, Ehimewas a town located in Kitauwa District, Ehime, Japan.On August 1, 2005 Mima, along with the towns of Tsushima and Yoshida, all from Kitauwa District, was merged into the expanded city of Uwajima....
, TsushimaTsushima, Ehimeis a former town of Japan located in Kitauwa District, Ehime Prefecture.On August 1, 2005 Tsushima, along with the towns of Mima and Yoshida, all from Kitauwa District, was merged into the expanded city of Uwajima....
and YoshidaYoshida, Ehimewas a town located in Kitauwa District, Ehime, Japan.On August 1, 2005 Yoshida, along with the towns of Mima and Tsushima, all from Kitauwa District, was merged into the expanded city of Uwajima....
, all from Kitauwa DistrictKitauwa District, EhimeThe is a district located in Ehime Prefecture, Japan. As of 2004, the district has an estimated population of 17,299. The total area is 340.37 km².The district has two towns:*Kihoku*Matsuno-History:...
, to form the new and expanded city of Uwajima.
Attractions
Uwajima has a famous Date Museum http://www.city.uwajima.ehime.jp/datehaku which features many historically important objects tied to the history of the region and the Daimyo family Date which ruled this area.Uwajima castle is also worth a visit.
Uwajima is home to an unusual fertility
Fertility
Fertility is the natural capability of producing offsprings. As a measure, "fertility rate" is the number of children born per couple, person or population. Fertility differs from fecundity, which is defined as the potential for reproduction...
shrine called Taga Shrine, which features a large, realistic phallus carved from a log approximately 9 feet in length, 1 foot in diameter. Next to the shrine is a graphic sex museum, filled with artifacts and paintings from around the world.
Every July a festival is held in Uwajima known as "Ushioni Festival," "Gaiya Festival," or the "Warei Shrine Festival." Among the festivities are ushioni teams parading down the street, a dance contest to the town song known as the "Gaiya" dance, traditional dancing, and a bullfight. The word "Gaiya" is in a local dialect, approximately translating to "awesome" in English.
The city is known for bullfighting
Bullfighting
Bullfighting is a traditional spectacle of Spain, Portugal, southern France and some Latin American countries , in which one or more bulls are baited in a bullring for sport and entertainment...
, which differs from the more widely-known Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
bullfights in that there is no matador
Matador
A torero or toureiro is a bullfighter and the main performer in bullfighting, practised in Spain, Colombia, Portugal, Mexico, France and various other countries influenced by Spanish culture. In Spanish, the word torero describes any of the performers who actively participate in the bullfight...
. Two bulls fight in a ring until one bull's knees touch the ground or flees, marking it the loser. Bullfights are generally held in January, April, July, and August.
The author of the Japanese novel "Socrates in Love
Socrates in Love
Socrates in Love, also known as is a Japanese novel written by Kyoichi Katayama. It was published by Shogakukan in April 2001. The novel and the manga adaptation are published in the United States by VIZ Media under the title Socrates in Love...
" is from Uwajima. The novel was later turned into a movie.
A famous product (meibutsu
Meibutsu
Meibutsu is a Japanese term for famous products associated with particular regions. Meibutsu are usually items of Japanese regional cuisine, although the category includes local handicrafts. Meibutsu typically have a traditional character, although contemporary products may qualify as meibutsu...
) of Uwajima is jakoten
Jakoten
is a special product of Uwajima in Southern Ehime prefecture. Jakoten has a long history, having been eaten since the Edo period. It is made from small fish caught nearby that are blended into a paste and then fried.-History:...
, a type of fried kamaboko
Kamaboko
is a type of cured surimi, a Japanese processed seafood product, in which various white fish are pureed, combined with additives such as MSG, formed into distinctive loaves, and then steamed until fully cooked and firm. The steamed loaves are then sliced and served unheated with various dipping...
.
Locals are known to frequent these establishments, among others:
Flowers: Kazahana
Izakaya: Ichi
Salon: oasis hair & relaxation
Bar: TE-TSU
Gourmet: Violin D'Ingres
Tsushima
TsushimaTsushima, Ehime
is a former town of Japan located in Kitauwa District, Ehime Prefecture.On August 1, 2005 Tsushima, along with the towns of Mima and Yoshida, all from Kitauwa District, was merged into the expanded city of Uwajima....
is approximately 200 km², and is therefore a significant portion of Uwajima's current land area, despite not being highly populated (fewer than 15,000 people). It's made up of a number of small villages that shared a municipal government as Tsushima until they were amalgamated into Uwajima.
Tsushima is known for the Iwamatsu River and the festival they have each year where people eat tiny, live fish.
They are also known for pearl farming and fish farming as well as being part of the prefecture's mikan
Mikan
The satsuma is a seedless and easy-peeling citrus mutant of Japanese origin introduced to the West.In Japan, it is known as mikan or formally unshu mikan . In China, it is known as Wenzhou migan . The Japanese name is a result of the local reading of the same characters used in the Chinese...
industry.
Nanrakuen Park is a beautiful place; there is also a children's amusement area called Playland across the street.
See also
- Date MunenariDate MunenariMarquis was the eighth head of the Uwajima Domain during the Late Tokugawa shogunate and a politician of the early Meiji era.-Early life:Munenari was born in Edo, the 4th son of the hatamoto Yamaguchi Naokatsu...
- Iyo ProvinceIyo Provincewas an old province of Japan in the area that is today Ehime Prefecture on Shikoku. Iyo bordered on Awa, Sanuki, and Tosa Provinces. It was sometimes called ....
- Uwajima DomainUwajima DomainThe was a feudal domain in Iyo Province of Japan during the Edo period. It was ruled from 1608 to 1613 by the Tomita clan. After a brief period as Tokugawa-controlled tenryō territory, the domain passed into the hands of the Date clan. The founder was Date Hidemune , first-born son of Date Masamune...
- Akinori IwamuraAkinori IwamuraAkinori Iwamura is a Japanese Major League Baseball infielder, who is currently with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League...
External links
- Uwajima official website in Japanese
- Wikitravel: Uwajima
- Nanrakuen Website in Japanese
- Ehime Tourism Information: Uwajima