Prefecture of Japan
"?ita, Japan" redirects here. For the city, see
?ita (city)
.
Prefecture in Kyushu, Japan
?ita Prefecture
(
大分?
,
?ita-ken
)
is a
prefecture
of
Japan
located on the island of
Ky?sh?
.
[2]
?ita Prefecture has a population of 1,136,245 (1 June 2019) and has a geographic area of 6,340
km
2
(2,448
sq mi
). ?ita Prefecture borders
Fukuoka Prefecture
to the northwest,
Kumamoto Prefecture
to the southwest, and
Miyazaki Prefecture
to the south.
?ita
is the capital and largest city of ?ita Prefecture, with other major cities including
Beppu
,
Nakatsu
, and
Saiki
.
[3]
?ita Prefecture is located in the northeast of Ky?sh? on the
Bungo Channel
, connecting the
Pacific Ocean
and
Seto Inland Sea
, across from
Ehime Prefecture
on the island of
Shikoku
. ?ita Prefecture is famous for its
hot springs
and is a popular tourist destination in Japan for its
onsens
and
ryokans
, particularly in and around the city of Beppu.
History
[
edit
]
Around the 6th century,
Kyushu
consisted of four regions:
Tsukushi Province
,
Hi Province
,
Kumaso Province
and
Toyo Province
.
Toyo Province was later divided into two regions, upper and lower Toyo Province, called
Bungo Province
and
Buzen Province
.
After the
Meiji Restoration
, districts from
Bungo
and
Buzen
provinces were combined to form ?ita Prefecture.
[4]
These provinces were divided among many local
daimy?s
and thus a large castle town never formed in ?ita. From this time that whole area became known as "Toyo-no-Kuni", which means "Land of Abundance".
The origins of the name ?ita are documented in a report from the early 8th century called the Chronicles of Bungo
(
豊後?風土記
,
bungonokuni-fudoki
)
.
[5]
According to the document, when Emperor Keik? visited the Kyushu region, stopping first in Toyo-no-Kuni, he exclaimed that 'This is a vast land, indeed. It shall be known as Okita-Kuni!' Okita-Kuni, meaning "Land of the Great Fields", later came to be written as "?ita". Present day interpretations based on ?ita's topography state that Oita's name comes from "Okita", meaning "many fields", rather than "vast" or "great" field, because of ?ita's complex terrain.
[5]
In the
Edo period
(1603?1867) the town of
Hita
was the government seat for the entire domain of
Kyushu
, which was directly controlled by the national government or
sh?gun
at that time. The region became well known for the money-lending industry based out of
Hita
. Merchants in Hita's Mameda and Kuma districts worked with the national government to create this money-lending industry known as Hita-kin.
Shrines and temples
[
edit
]
Sasamuta-jinja
and
Yusuhara Hachiman-g?
are the chief
Shinto shrines
(
ichinomiya
) in the prefecture.
[6]
Usa Jjing?
, the head shrine of more than 40,000
Hachiman shrines
, is located in
Usa, ?ita.
[7]
Geography
[
edit
]
?ita Prefecture is on the north-eastern section of the island of
Ky?sh?
. It is 119 kilometres (74 mi) from east to west, and 106 kilometres (66 mi) from north to south, with a total area of 6,340.71 square kilometers.
Surrounded by the
Suo Channel
and
Honsh?
Island to the north, the
Iyo Channel
and
Shikoku
Island to the east, it is bordered by
Miyazaki Prefecture
to the south, and
Fukuoka Prefecture
and
Kumamoto Prefecture
to the west. It is divided between north and south by a major tectonic line running from
Usuki
City in ?ita Prefecture to Yatsushiro City in
Kumamoto
Prefecture, which is to the west of ?ita. There are several other tectonic lines running from east to west through the prefecture. The northern part of the prefecture features
granite
and
metamorphic rocks
, while the southern area features
limestone
, which is the foundation for the
Tsukumi
cement industry, and several limestone caves. The Kirishima Range is a
volcanic belt
that runs vertically through the prefecture and contributes to the many hot spring sources that make the region a popular tourist attraction and makes ?ita the prefecture with the largest number of hot springs in the whole country.
[8]
The mountain ranges include the peaks of
Mount Yufu
,
Mount Tsurumi
,
Mount Sobo
,
Mount Katamuki
, and
Mount Kuj?
(which is called the "roof of Kyushu"). These mountain ranges contribute to the fact that 70% of Oita is covered by forests, and the rivers and streams that flow from these ranges give the prefecture rich water sources. The prefecture's major water sources are the
Yamakuni River
(with the
Heisei Ozeki Dam
and
Yabakei Dam
on it), Yakkan River, ?ita River,
?no River
(with
Hakusui Dam
on it), and Banj? River. The coastline features include
Beppu Bay
and the
Bungo Channel
.
Mount Kuj?
, a volcano, is surrounded by highlands called the Kuj? Highlands and the Handa Highlands. The main agriculture activity on the plateau grasslands north and south of Mt. Kuj? is
dairy farming
. There are open plains throughout the prefecture with Nakatsu Plain in the north, Oita Plain in the center, and Saiki Plain in the south. The inland areas consist of basin valleys in
Hita
,
Kusu
,
Yufuin
and
Taketa
, which were formed by
lava
buildup in combination with river
erosion
.
?ita has a 759 km (472 mi) coastline that has shoals in the north, Beppu Bay in the center, and a jagged or sawtooth "rias coastline" in the south. Sea cliffs, caves, and sedimentary rock formations that can be found in
Saiki
City's Yakata Island are considered very rare outside of coral reef areas. ?ita's coastal waters contribute to a prosperous fishing industry.
As of April 1, 2014, 28% of the total land area of the prefecture was designated as
Natural Parks
, namely the
Aso Kuj?
and
Setonaikai
National Parks; the
Nipp? Kaigan
,
Sobo-Katamuki
, and
Yaba-Hita-Hikosan
Quasi-National Parks; and the
Bungo Suid?
,
Jinkakuji Serikawa
,
Kunisaki Hant?
,
Sobo Katamuki
, and
Tsue Sankei
Prefectural Natural Parks.
[9]
Current municipalities
[
edit
]
Currently, the prefecture has 14 cities, 3 districts, 3 towns, and one village. From 2005 to 2006, all municipalities but
Beppu
,
Tsukumi
,
Himeshima
,
Hiji
, and all towns in
Kusu
District, were merged, and the total municipalities went down from 58 on December 31, 2004, to 18 after the creation of the city of
Kunisaki
by merging with 4 towns from Higashikunisaki District on March 31, 2006. As a result, the prefecture became the one with the fewest municipalities within Ky?sh?, and the fourth fewest in Japan. However, ?ita Prefecture now has the fewest towns (3) and fewest towns and villages combined (4) in all of Japan.
Municipalities in ?ita Prefecture
City
Town
Mergers and dissolutions
[
edit
]
If the district dissolved, then the link will be in place.
Economy
[
edit
]
?ita Prefecture's industrial activity is centered on agricultural products. Fishery products and manufactured goods rank second and third respectively in terms of ?ita's industrial activity.
?ita is Japan's number one producer of the following products:
[10]
Kabosu limes:
?ita Prefecture is Japan's number one producer of
kabosu
, a citrus fruit that is similar to a lime. Kabosu are available year-round but peak season for taste and quality is from August to October.
Kabosu
are rich in vitamin C and contain beneficial acids, such as citric acid. Kabosu have been produced in the
Taketa
and
Usuki
areas for many years.
Dried shiitake mushrooms:
?ita is the largest producer of dried
shiitake
mushrooms in Japan, and the cultivation of
shiitake
mushrooms is said to have originated in ?ita. ?ita's dried shiitake rank number one in Japan in production quantity and quality.
Shiitake
are said to be beneficial in the prevention of high blood pressure and
arterial sclerosis
.
Saffron:
Saffron
has been cultivated in ?ita since the late 19th century, and ?ita's
Taketa
area produces 80% of Japan's total amount of
saffron
, making ?ita the top producer of
saffron
. The quality of ?ita
saffron
has gained international acclaim as active component levels are several times higher than foreign saffron.
Saffron
is said to have many benefits including circulation enhancement and is used as a food coloring and natural medicine.
Galingale:
?ita is Japan's top producer of galingale
(
シチトウ
|shichit?
)
, a kind of rush plant, a grass with a distinctive triangular profile, belonging to the family
Cyperaceae
. It is grown in
Kunisaki Peninsula
of ?ita Prefecture and is used in the production of Ryukyu-style
tatami
mats, as it is dust and moisture absorbent and has a pleasant scent.
Madake bamboo:
The madake variety of bamboo makes up 60% of Japan's cultivated bamboo, and ?ita is Japan's top producer. It is the most popular variety of bamboo used in handiwork and traditional crafts since it is very flexible and pressure resistant.
?ita ranks number one in Japan (and second in the world next to America's Yellowstone National Park) for the amount of hot-spring output and geothermal power. ?ita also ranks number one in Japan for the amount of limestone production.
Other industries
[
edit
]
Seki-aji and seki-saba are mackerels that are well-known seafood products of ?ita. ?ita has gained nationwide recognition for their promotion of "The Oita Brand", labeling local products with the prefectural name.
Key ?ita Brand products are as follows:
[11]
Agricultural products:
tomatoes,
leeks
,
strawberries
,
scallions
,
kabosu
limes, greenhouse
tangerines
, prairie gentians
(
トルコギキョウ
,
torukogiky?
)
,
roses
,
chrysanthemums
, pears (
Hita
City, Shonai Town in
Yufu
City and
Kokonoe
town in Kusu are all production regions for Japanese pears. Oita pears are shipped nationwide, with large distribution quantities throughout Kyushu), and Bungo beef (the Kuj? highlands are a perfect feeding ground for cattle and cattle farmers in Oita are involved in breeding and shipping cattle. Bungo beef is a well known local product.).
Forest products:
Dried
shiitake
mushrooms and Oita-style seasoned timber (Oita is one of the leading production centers for Japanese
cedar
, ranking second in Japan for amount of lumber reserves and number of cedars produced. Oita cedar producers use a special method for drying the wood which combines benefits of natural and artificial drying to produce cedar that has cracks and retains its natural scent and color.)
Marine products:
cultured
flatfish
, cultured
yellow jack
, cultured
yellowtail
, cultured
loach
,
pearl
, cultured kuruma prawn, natural kuruma prawn (
kuruma ebi
),
cuttlefish
,
hairtail
,
butterfish
,
blue crab
,
conger eel
,
clam
, and Japanese
mitten crab
.
Economic development of ?ita was greatly aided by the
One Village One Product movement
of long-time governor
Morihiko Hiramatsu
. This movement has gained international attention and increased international exchange activities between Oita and overseas cities and countries.
The following companies operate factories in Oita:
Toshiba Corporation
,
Nippon Steel Corporation
,
Canon Inc.
,
Texas Instruments Inc.
,
Sony
,
Daihatsu
Motor Co. Ltd.,
Showa Denko
K.K., Kawasumi Laboratories Inc. (
川澄化?工業株式?社
), CKK, Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd. (旭メディカル),
NEC
Corporation,
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.
,
Sumitomo
Chemical Co. Ltd, Mitsui E&S Corporation.
Demographics
[
edit
]
As of October 1, 2008, ?ita's total population was 1,201,715. Broken down into age groups, it was determined that 13.3% of the population was between the age of newborn and 14 years old, while 60.6% of the population was between the ages of 15 years and 64 years old, and 25.8% of the population was 65 years old or older.
In 2008, there were 11,034 non-Japanese residents registered in ?ita, that was up 1,684 people from the previous year.
As of December 2009, ?ita was ranked as having the highest number of foreign students relative to population in Japan. Oita has 339.8 foreign students per 100,000 people in the prefecture, where Tokyo, now ranking second has 329.4 foreign students per 100,000 people in the city.
[12]
This is contributed to the fact that
Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University (APU)
in Beppu accepts many foreign students. As of November 1, 2009, there were 4,160 foreign students in ?ita total, from 101 different countries and territories, with the majority being from Asia (e.g. China and South Korea).
[13]
Culture
[
edit
]
Oita is in the northeast corner of the island of Kyushu. Its coastal areas, farmland, highland, and mountains lend to a mix of different farming and fishing culture. There are many festivals throughout the year to pray for healthy harvests and abundant crops.
As of May 2006, 146 cultural assets in ?ita were designated by the national government (Agency for Cultural Affairs), four of which are designated as
National Treasures
. Additionally, the prefecture itself has designated almost 700 traditions, properties, landmarks etc. as cultural assets.
National treasures
[
edit
]
- Fuki-ji
Temple: The only wooden structure in Kyushu to remain intact since the Heian period (794?1192). Fukiji Temple is in Bungo-Takada.
- The Main Building of
Usa Shrine
: A building which is said to be a prototype for
hachiman
style architecture located in Usa City.
- Peacock Buddhist Altar Fitting: This is a Buddhist altar fitting called
Kujaku Monkei
with engraved peacocks and an inscription dated 1209. The information on it tells of the relationship between Usa Shrine and its branch shrine Mirokuji.
- Usuki Stone Buddhas
: Approximately 60 cliff carvings of Buddha that were crafted between the Heian period (794?1192) and the Kamakura period (1185?1333) are the only rock carvings of their kind to have received a "National Treasure" designation. They are in Usuki City.
Below are some of Oita's cultural traditions that are designated by the Agency for Cultural Affairs as
Important Intangible Cultural Properties
:
- Shujo Onie Fire Festival: An event held to pray for national security, health, and longevity on the first day of the Chinese New Year at temples of Tendai Buddhist denomination in the Kunisaki Peninsula area. The three temples that continue to hold this event are the Tennenji-temple (Bungotakata City), Iwatoji-temple (Kunisaki Town) and Jobutsuji-temple (Kunisaki Town).
- Koyo Shrine Puppet Show: This is a puppet show also known as "Kitabaru Puppet Show" which uses
kugutsu
puppets that perform dance and sumo wrestling matches. Oita's Hachiman Kohyo Shrine is in Nakatsu City.
- Hita's Gion Festival: A festival held in Hita City in July with parade floats that are up to 12 meters high. Although the festival only takes place once a year, the magnificent floats are on display year-round at the Gion Festival Float Museum in Kuma Town, Hita City.
- Yoshihiro Gaku Traditional Performing Art: Dance performed along with traditional song and music in Musashi Town in Kunisaki Peninsula
- Manufacturing Process of Sulfur "Flowers" at Myoban Hot Spring: Thatched huts at Myoban Hot Spring are used to produce
yu-no-hana
or sulfur “flowers” which are crystals that develop naturally on the ground around the springs. The manufacturing and collection process of the sulfur flowers has remained largely unchanged since the Edo period and thus the manufacturing process itself is designated as an ethno-cultural asset. The crystals are used as the main component of bath salts sold in Myoban, which are a popular souvenir that is used to help heal skin conditions.
Dance
[
edit
]
Kagura
is a sacred dance performed at festivals and celebrations throughout the prefecture.
Shonai kagura
is a festive dance that has been practiced for over 200 years and is representative of Oita Prefecture. Another kagura, the
Ondake-style Kagura
, was nationally designated as an "Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property" in 2007. There is also traditional song and music known as "
gaku
" that is performed in the Kunisaki Peninsula Area and is accompanied by characteristic dances such as the
Yoshihirogaku
in Musashi Town. Dancers wear grass skirts and dance with a drum tied to their front and a flag tied to their backs to pray to the Buddhist God Amida Buddha. In the Ono district there are 80 groups of
Shishimai
or dancers who perform a lion dance with roots based on the Ondake-style dance.
Crafts
[
edit
]
Onta Pottery
is the name of a type of stoneware pottery made for everyday usage ? typically called 'mingei' (folk art or craft) in Japanese. The community is situated in the Hiko mountain range, about 17 kilometres from the centre of Hita City, and is said to have been established in 1705 to make large wares ? lidded jars for pickled vegetables and fruit, water crocks, ash burners, and pouring vessels with small spouts ? for local farmhouses. At the time potters were themselves farmers, who produced pots during the 'off season' in agriculture. These they fired in a cooperative kiln (ky?d? noborigama).
Onta pottery is now produced full-time by ten families in Sarayama, five of whom continue to share and fire an eight chambered climbing kiln. The other five households fire independent climbing kilns of four or five chambers, which they fire approximately six times a year. The potters use clays that they dig locally and obtain natural materials (notably, wood ash, rice straw ash, feldspar, iron oxide and, occasionally, copper) with which to mix their glazes. Sarayama is famous for the 'karausu' clay pounders lining its two streams and powered by the water therein. The fact that the clay pounders prepare only enough clay for two people to work with full-time at the wheel has determined both household structure and the number of houses able to take up pottery in Sarayama.
[14]
For anything other than small pots, potters use a kick wheel on which to throw their wares, which they decorate typically with hakeme and tobiganna slipware decoration techniques. In April 1995, the Agency for Cultural Affairs announced the designation of Onta Pottery as an "Important Intangible Cultural Property" in 1995.
[15]
This designation is for the actual techniques used in making the pottery and not the actual pots themselves. Precisely because the designation is for the process rather than the product, it is regarded as an "intangible" property and is the only stoneware pottery-making process so designated in Japan.
Bamboo Crafts
were started in the late 14th century to create baskets for travelling goods salesmen. During the
Edo period
(1600?1868)
Beppu
thrived as a tourist town and bamboo baskets and goods were used in the daily lives of the local people for everything from cooking to washing in order to meet the demands of the thriving tourist population. The bamboo items soon became a souvenir that tourists purchased to take home and this solidified making Beppu a center for Bamboo crafts production. In 1903 a training center for bamboo workers was established and present-day visitors to Beppu can enjoy learning about the history of bamboo, and hands-on classes at the Beppu City Traditional Bamboo Crafts Center. Festivals using bamboo shoots as candle holders are carried out yearly in the autumn in
Usuki
,
Taketa
, and
Hita
Cities.
Religion
[
edit
]
Kunisaki peninsula has been called "Buddha's Village" and many buddhist statues and temples remain. Mankoji Temple which was founded in 1352 is a place for practicing zen
meditation
.
Architecture
[
edit
]
The
Agency for Cultural Affairs
also designates certain areas for preservation as
Groups of Traditional Buildings
. The merchant quarter of
Hita
, Mameda Town, is one of 83 districts (as of April 1, 2009) throughout the country designated as "Important Preservation Districts for Groups of Traditional Buildings".
[16]
Old samurai residences throughout the prefecture are points of architectural interest. Nioza Historical Road in Usuki is also lined with buildings dating back to the 16th century and also in Usuki the Inaba-Family Villa is a former samurai residence open to the public.
Arata Isozaki
is a world-renowned architect who is from Oita. The former Oita Prefectural Library (now Oita Art Plaza) won an award for architectural design in 1967. Other works of his can be found throughout the prefecture including B-con Plaza in Beppu, Bungo-No-Kuni Information Library, the Audio-Visual Center in Oita City, and Yufu Train Station.
Music
[
edit
]
The
Martha Argerich
music festival "Argerich's Meeting Point in Beppu" is an annual event held in
Beppu
City. Martha Argerich is the General Director of the festival and the event is supported by a large number of volunteers. It takes place over 10 days and includes recitals and also lessons. This international event welcomes music lovers from all over the world to Beppu.
Arts
[
edit
]
The Oita-Asian Sculpture Exhibition (see external link below) is a biennial event that takes place in Asaji Town in Bungo-Ono City. This exhibition is carried out to commemorate Oita sculptor Asakura Fumio, and to encourage rising artists throughout Asia. Applicants are accepted from within Japan and from several Asian countries. Exhibition winners are given generous prizes and their works are kept on display at the Asakura Fumio Memorial Museum in Bungo-Ono City.
Sports
[
edit
]
The sports teams listed below are based in Oita.
- Football (soccer)
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Futsal
The Oita International Wheelchair Marathon (see external link below) is a yearly event held in October. This international race gathers wheelchair athletes from all over the world to participate in full and half-marathon racing. It was started in 1981 to commemorate the
International Year of Disabled Persons
.
Tourism
[
edit
]
?ita Prefecture is famous for its hot springs, particularly those in and around the city of
Beppu
, known as the 'hells', or
jigoku
. Many of the 'hells' are of tourist interest only and cannot be used as
onsen
(notably the Blood Pond
Hell
(reddish water) and the Oniyama Hell). The city's
ryokans
and public onsen are amply supplied by the same volcanic source. When
Chiba University
and Tokyo's
Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies
compiled a list of prefectures meeting demands for reusable energy, Oita ranked number one with a 25.2% rate of self-sufficiency through the use of geothermal energy and hot spring heat.
[17]
The city of
Beppu
is a busy passenger port with regular ferry links through the inland sea to
Osaka
and several other destinations, and offers a variety of cultural experiences. For instance, the public aquarium "Umi-tamago" on the shoreline outside Beppu features basketballing
sea otters
, performing
archer fish
, and puzzle-solving octopuses, along with more naturalistic displays of freshwater and marine fish from around the world.
Another attraction is Mount Takasaki Monkey Park, a park featuring two distinct troupes of wild
macaque
monkeys that make regular visits to the feeding grounds. The reserve was initially established to prevent the monkeys from raiding the region's fruit crops, a behaviour that brought them into conflict with local farmers. The wild macaques can be observed up close in the park during the feeding sessions.
Other attractions of ?ita Prefecture include the
Sanrio
theme park
Harmonyland
, and the Hihokan Sex Museum, also located in Beppu. Previously, Mt. Hachimen was home to
Concert on the Rock
, a music festival held as an annual charity event which saw over 30 international acts performing over a weekend in June 2004. The event was held again in 2005 but has since been discontinued.
In 2017, the creators of Pokemon Go held an event from March 4 to 13 featuring newly spawned Pokemon Snorlax for players to check areas hit by the
2016 Kumamoto earthquakes
and help support the local economy.
[18]
A US spokeswoman said that the game event would provide many opportunities for players to come and see the sights.
[
citation needed
]
The event followed a similar event that spawned Lapras in the Miyagi Prefecture in November 2016 in areas that were severely damaged by the
2011 earthquake
.
[19]
Both events took place in the Kyushu region.
Media
[
edit
]
Transport
[
edit
]
Roads
[
edit
]
Expressway and Toll Road
[
edit
]
National Highway
[
edit
]
- National Highway 10
- National Highway 57
- National Highway 197
- National Highway 210 (
Kurume
-Hita-Oita)
- National Highway 211 (Hita-
Iizuka
-
Kitakyushu
)
- National Highway 212 (Nakatsu-Hita-
Aso
)
- National Highway 213
- National Highway 217
- National Highway 326
- National Highway 386 (Hita-
Asakura
-
Chikushino
)
- National Highway 387
- National Highway 388
- National Highway 442
- National Highway 496
- National Highway 500
- National Highway 502
Railroads
[
edit
]
Airports
[
edit
]
Ports
[
edit
]
Notable people
[
edit
]
- ?tomo S?rin
(1530?1587): The Otomo family ruled over the
Funai Domain
, which is present day
?ita City
, in the 16th century. Funai was a very internationalized city which engaged in trade and exchange with other nations. S?rin, the 21st leader of the
?tomo clan
, embraced Western culture enthusiastically and invited the missionary
Francis Xavier
to the city to promote Christianity. S?rin dreamed of creating a Christian nation; he was baptized and given the name "Don Francisco". S?rin died in
Tsukumi
.
[20]
- Miura Baien
(September 1, 1723 ? April 9, 1789): A scholar originally known as Susumu but called Baien after the name of his private school where he educated many scholars. Miura developed his own system of logic and wrote many works including his three famous words, Deep Words
(
玄語
,
gengo
)
, Redundant Words
(
贅語
,
zeigo
)
, and Bold Words
(
敢語
,
kango
)
. He also worked in a hospital and had a good knowledge of
astronomy
. He hand made an astronomical globe that was passed down through many generations.
[5]
He spent his entire life in Tominaga Village which is the present day area of
Aki
Town in
Kunisaki
City. Miura Baien is considered one of ?ita's three sages along with Hoashi Banri and Hirose Tans?.
- Hoashi Banri
(
帆足万里
, February 11, 1778 ? July 30, 1852)
: Miura Baien's pupil who expanded his academic ability into many fields including
Confucianism
, natural sciences, medicine and language. He taught himself Dutch to reference scientific publications for his eight-volume work
Kyuritsu
, which was considered the top work of Western natural science in Japan at that time. In 1832 he was made Minister for the Feudal Lord to fix the financial problems of the Hiji clan.
[5]
Banri Hoashi is considered one of ?ita's three sages along with Miura Baien and Hirose Tans?.
- Hirose Tans?
(
??淡窓
, May 22, 1782 ? November 28, 1856)
: A Confucian scholar, poet and educator from a money-lending family in Hita. ?ita's current governor
Katsusada Hirose
is a descendant of Tans? Hirose. In Edo period Japan, education was limited to samurai families and the rich. However, Hirose Tans? opened a school called Kangien
(
咸宜園
)
meaning "all are welcome" and admitted students regardless of social status, age, or education level. The school's methodology of a "self-administered work-study policy" is said to have had great influence on the modern day education system in Japan. Former Prime Minister
Kiyoura Keigo
was educated here, with other students who went on to become influential scholars, artists and politicians. The school's remains were designated a historical site in 1932 and are a couple blocks from the original Hirose family house, where the Hirose Museum is. There, Tans? Hirose and other family members’ works are on display, with other original Hirose artifacts, hina dolls, tea ceremony utensils and more. Both are in Mameda Town, about a 10-minute walk from
Hita
Station. Tans? Hirose is considered one of the Oita's three sages along with Miura Baien and Hoashi Banri. An asteroid called
10009 Hirosetanso
discovered by the
University of Tokyo
in 1977 was named after Tans? Hirose.
- Fukuzawa Yukichi
(1834?1901): Founded Japan's oldest institute of higher education,
Keio University
in Tokyo. Fukuzawa Yukichi grew up in the
Nakatsu
domain and is pictured on the 10,000 yen bill. He was influential in Japan's education system by promoting independence and self-reliance of the Japanese people at his classes as
Keio-Gijuku University
, known as present day Keio University, originally a school for Western studies. The university now educates in a range of fields and produces influential and prominent alumni.
- Hiroshi Nagahama
(born 1970): Veteran
anime
industry luminary who began his career in 1990 with
Madhouse Studio
as an animator and went on to direct
Mushishi
,
Detroit Metal City
,
The Flowers of Evil
and
The Reflection
, as well as serving as art director of
Revolutionary Girl Utena
.
- Yamamoto Tatsuo
, once governor of the
Bank of Japan
from 1898 to 1903, was from here.
Notes
[
edit
]
- ^
"2020年度?民??計算(2015年基準?2008SNA) : ??社??合?究所 - ?閣府"
.
?閣府ホ?ムペ?ジ
(in Japanese)
. Retrieved
May 18,
2023
.
- ^
Nussbaum, Louis-Frederic. (2005). "?ita-ken" in
Japan Encyclopedia
, p. 742
, p. 742, at
Google Books
.
- ^
Nussbaum, "?ita" in
p. 742
, p. 742, at
Google Books
.
- ^
Nussbaum, Louis-Frederic. (2005). "Provinces and prefectures" in
p. 780
, p. 780, at
Google Books
.
- ^
a
b
c
d
?ita Prefectural Government. (2006).
Guide-O ?ita Prefecture Guide Book
, p. 20.
- ^
"Nationwide List of
Ichinomiya
," p. 3
; retrieved February 9, 2012.
- ^
"Usa Jingu Shrine (English)"
retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^
?ita Prefectural Government. (2009).
Reassurance, Vitality & Growth of ?ita Prefecture,
p. 5.
- ^
"General overview of area figures for Natural Parks by prefecture"
(PDF)
.
Ministry of the Environment
. April 1, 2014
. Retrieved
February 8,
2015
.
- ^
?ita Prefectural Government,
Guide-O Oita Prefecture Guide Book,
p. 40-41.
- ^
?ita Prefectural Government,
Reassurance, Vitality & Growth,
p. 34.
- ^
"大分?全?一位人口10万人?たりの留?生"
Oita Godo Shinbun
. December 1, 2009. Morning Edition (Japanese)
Translation from Japanese source, original text as follows:人口10万人に?する留?生の?が大分?は339?8人となり、東京都(329?4人)を?いて初めて全?1位になった。
- ^
"??の留?生4千人を突?"
?ita Godo Shinbun
. November 24, 2009. Morning Edition (Japanese)
- ^
Moeran, Brian. Folk Art Potters of Japan. London: Curzon/Routledge, 1997.
- ^
Moeran, Brian.
The Journal of Modern Craft
, Volume 1, Number 1, March 2008, pp. 35?54(20). Berg Publishers
- ^
"Agency for Cultural Affairs"
.
- ^
"自然エネルギ?自給率:大分?トップ"
Mainichi Shinbun
. January 4, 2010. Evening Edition (Japanese)
Partial translation from Japanese source. Original text as follows:太陽光や風力、地熱など再生可能エネルギ?でエネルギ?需要をどの程度まかなっているかを示す都道府?別の自給率ランキングを、千葉大と環境エネルギ?政策?究所(東京都)が推計した。トップは地熱?電や?泉熱利用が多い大分?で自給率は約25%。最下位は消費量が多い東京都で約0?2%だった。
- ^
"
'Pokemon Go' deploys Snorlax to quake-hit Kyushu"
.
The Japan Times
. March 3, 2017
. Retrieved
November 4,
2023
.
- ^
"Lapras Pokemon Event Brought 20 Million USD To The Earthquake Affected Areas In T?hoku Japan"
.
grape Japan
. Retrieved
November 4,
2023
.
- ^
?ita Prefectural Government,
Guide-O ?ita Prefecture Guide Book
, p. 28.
References
[
edit
]
External links
[
edit
]
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