Amakusa (天草) is a series of islands belonging to Japan, the biggest of which, Shimoshima Island, is 26½ miles long and 13½ in extreme width, situated about 32°20'N, 130°E, on the west of Kumamoto Prefecture (formerly the province of Higo on the island of Kyūshū), from which it is separated by the Yatsushiro Sea. It is served by Amakusa Airfield.
It has no high mountains, but its surface is very hilly—four of the peaks rise to a height over 1,500 feet (460 m)—the population resorts to the terrace system of cultivation with remarkable success.
A number of the heads of the Christians executed in connection with the Shimabara rebellion in 1637-1638 were buried on this island. Amakusa produces a little coal and fine kaolin, which was largely used in former times by the potters of Hirado and Satsuma. Hidenoshin Koyama, who built Thomas Blake Glover's House in Glover Garden came from this island.
Now Amakusa District, Kumamoto is a district and Amakusa, Kumamoto is a city in Kumamoto.
Coordinates: 32°24′N 130°07′E / 32.4°N 130.117°E
References
- Rowthorn, Chris; Justin Ellis, Ray Bartlett (2005). Japan. Lonely Planet. ISBN 1740599241.
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