| Ōita Prefecture | |||||||||
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| Capital | Ōita | ||||||||
| Region | Kyūshū | ||||||||
| Island | Kyūshū | ||||||||
| Governor | Katsusada Hirose | ||||||||
| Area (rank) | 6,338.82 km² (24th) | ||||||||
| - % water | 0.7% | ||||||||
| Population (Oct,1 2005) | |||||||||
| - Population | 1,209,587 (34th) | ||||||||
| - Density | 191 /km² | ||||||||
| Districts | 3 | ||||||||
| Municipalities | 18 | ||||||||
| ISO 3166-2 | JP-44 | ||||||||
| Website | www.pref.oita.jp/english/ | ||||||||
| Prefectural Symbols | |||||||||
| - Flower | Bungo-ume blossom (Prunus mume var. bungo) | ||||||||
| - Tree | Bungo-ume tree (Prunus mume var. bungo) | ||||||||
| - Bird | Japanese white-eye (Zosterops japonica) | ||||||||
| - Fish | {{{Fish}}} | ||||||||
 Symbol of Ōita Prefecture |
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| Template ■ Discussion ■ WikiProject Japan | |||||||||
Ōita Prefecture (大分県 Ōita-ken) is a prefecture of Japan located on Kyūshū Island. The prefectural capital is the city of Ōita.
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History
Around the 6th century Kyushu consisted of four regions: Chikushi-Kuni, Hi-Kuni, Kumaso-Kuni and Toyo-Kuni. Present day Oita was part of Toyo-Kuni, which means "Abundant Land".
Toyo-kuni was later divided into two regions, upper and lower Toyo-Kuni, called "Bungo" and "Buzen".
After the Meiji Restoration, eight districts from Bungo and two districts from southern Buzen Provinces were combined to form Ōita Prefecture: These provinces were divided among many local daimyo and thus a large castle town never formed in Ōita. From this time the area became known as "Toyo-no-kuni", which means "Land of Abundance".
The origins of the name Oita are documented in a report from the early 8th century called the "Chronicles of Bungo" (Bungokokufudoki) . According to the document, when Empress Keiko visited the Kyushu region, stopping first in Toyo-kuni, she 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 "Oita". Present day interpretations based on Oita's topography state that Oita's name comes from "Okita", meaning "many fields", rather than "vast" or "great" field, because of Oita's complex terrain.
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 Shogunate 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.
Historically Influential People in Oita:
Sorin Otomo (1530-1587) The Otomo Family ruled over Funai, which is present day Oita City, in the 16th century. Funai was a very internationalized city which engaged in various forms of trade and exchange with foreign nations. Sorin, the 21st leader of the Otomo clan, embraced Western culture enthusiastically and invited the missionary Francisco Xavier to the city to promote Christianity. Sorin dreamed of creating a Christian nation, and was baptized and given the name "Don Francisco". Sorin died in Tsukumi.
Baien Miura(1723-1789) A scholar originally known as Susumu but called Baien after the name of his private school where he educated many scholars. Baien Miura developed his own system of logic and wrote many works including his three famous words, "Deep Words"(Zen-go), "Redundant Words"(Gei-go), and "Bold Words"(Kan-go). 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. He spent his entire life in Tominaga Village which is the present day area of Aki Town in Kunisaki City. Baien Miura is considered one of Oita's three sages along with Banri Hoashi and Tanso Hirose.
Banri Hoashi (1778-1852) Baien Miura'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 in order to fix the financial problems of the Hiji clan. Banri Hoashi is considered one of Oita's three sages along with Baien Miura and Tanso Hirose.
Tanso Hirose (1782-1856) A Confucian scholar, poet and educator from a money-lending family in Hita. Oita’s current governor Katsusada Hirose is actually the descendant of Tanso Hirose. In Edo period Japan, education was limited to samurai families and the rich. However, Tanso Hirose opened a school called “Kangien” 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, along 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 located just a couple blocks from the original Hirose family house, where the Hirose Museum is also located. There, Tanso Hirose and other family members’ works are on display, along with other original Hirose artifacts, hina dolls, tea ceremony utensils and more. Both are located in Mameda Town, about a 10minute walk from Hita Station. Tanso Hirose is considered on the Oita's three sages along with Baien Miura and Banri Hoashi.
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 academy, known as present day Keio University, originally a school for Western studies. The university now educates in a range of different academic fields and produces influential and prominent alumni.
Geography
Ōita Prefecture is located on the north-eastern section of the island of Kyūshū. It is 119 kilometers from east to west, and 106 kilometers from north to south, with a total area of 6,339 square kilometers.
Surrounded by the Suo Channel and Honshū 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 Oita Prefecture to Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto Prefecture, which is to the west of Oita. 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.
Mountain ranges include Mount Yufu, Mount Tsurumi, Mount Sobo, Mount Katamuki, and Mount Kuju (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 Yamakuni River, Yakkan River, Oita River, Ono and Banjo River, and Beppu Bay and the Bungo Channel.
Mount Kuju is surrounded by highlands called the Kuju Highlands and the Handa Highlands. 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.
Oita has a 759 kilometer 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 found in Saiki City's Yakata Island are considered very rare outside of coral reef areas. Oita's coastal waters contribute to a prosperous fishing industry.
Region
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, 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. It will make the prefecture with less municipalities within Kyūshū, and fourth least in Japan. However, Oita Prefecture now has the fewest towns (3) and fewest towns and villages combined (4) all over Japan.
Current municipalities
Cities
Towns and villages
Mergers and dissolutions
If the district dissolved, then the link will be in place.
- Hayami District:
- Higashikunisaki District:
- Ōno District:
- Ōita District:
- Kitaamabe District:
- Shimoge District:
- Minamiamabe District:
- Hita District:
- Usa District:
- Nishikunisaki District:
- Naoiri District:
Economy
Oita Prefecture's industrial activity is centered on agricultural products. Fishery products and manufactured goods rank second and third respectively in terms of Oita's industrial activity.
Oita is Japan's number one producer of the following products:
Kabosu Limes-Oita Prefecture is Japan's number one producer of kabosu, which is 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.
Shiitake Mushrooms-Oita is also the largest producer of shiitake mushrooms in Japan, and the cultivation of shiitake mushrooms is said to have orginated in Oita. Oita's shiitake rank number one in Japan both in terms of 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 Oita since the late 19th century, and Oita's Taketa area produces 80% of Japan's total amount of saffron, making Oita the top producer of saffron. The quality of Oita 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.
Chinese Mat Grass- Oita is Japan's top producer of chinese mat grass (shichito-i), a grass plant with a distinctive triangular profile, belonging to the Cypercea family. It is grown in Kunisaki Peninsula of Oita 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 Oita 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.
Oita also ranks number one in Japan in the amount of hot-spring output and geothermal power, and the amount of limestone production.
Other Oita industries:
Seki-aji and seki-saba are two types of mackerel that are well-known seafood products of Oita. Oita has gained nationwide recognition for their promotion of "The Oita Brand", which is labeling locally grown produce with the prefectural name.
Key "Oita Brand" products are as follows:
Agriculture- tomatoes, leeks, strawberries, spring onions, kabosu limes, pears, greenhouse tangerines, prairie gentian, rose, chrysanthemum, Bungo beef
Forestry- Oita-style seasoned timber, dried shiitake mushrooms
Marine- cultured flatfish, cultured yellow-jack, cultured yellow-tail, cultured loach, pearl, cultured kuruma prawn, natural kuruma prawn, cuttlefish, hairtail, butterfish, blue crab, conger eel, clam, and Japanese mitten crab.
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 cedar which combines benefits of natural and artificial drying methods to produce cedar that has cracks, and retains the natural cedar scent and color.
The Kuju 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.
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.
Economic development of Oita 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 foreign 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., CKK, Asahi Kasei Medical Co. Ltd., NEC Corporation, Matsushita Electronic Industrial Co., Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.
Demographics
As of October 1st, 2006 Oita's total population was 1,204,772. Broken down into age groups, it was determined that 13.4% of the population was between the age of newborn and 14 years old, while 61% of the population was between the ages of 15 years and 64 years old, and 25.3% of the population was 65 years old or older.
In 2008 there were 11,034 non-Japanese residents registered in Oita, that was up 1,684 people from the previous year.
Oita is ranked as having the 2nd highest number of foreign students relative to population after Tokyo. This is contributed by the fact that Ritsumeikan Asia-Pacific University (APU) in Beppu accepts many foreign students. Refer www.apu.ac.jp In 2008, there were 3,980 foreign students in Oita total, with the majority being from Asia (e.g. China and South Korea).
Culture
Oita is in the northeast corner of Kyushu prefecture, so that it has coastal areas, farmland, highland, and mountains. This lends to a mix of different farming and fishing culture. There are many fall festivals to pray for a healthy harvest.
Shonai kagura is a festive dance that has been practiced for over 200 years and is representative of Oita Prefecture. Another kagura, the Ondake-ryu Kagura, was designated as a "National Intangible Folk Cultural Property" in 2007.
The folk craft of “Onta Pottery” in Hita City, has been passed down over 5 generations. The tradition has been kept within one family so that the craft has thus been designated as "National Important Intangible Cultural Asset".
Old samurai residences remain in different parts of Oita Prefecture.
Kunisaki peninsula has been called "Buddah's Village" and many buddhist statues and temples remain. This area is said to be a place where buddhism and Shintoism fused. Mankoji Temple which was founded in 1352 is a place for practicing zen meditation.
There is a strong bamboo culture in Oita Prefecture. Usuki and Taketa have bamboo light festivals, and bamboo products are often seen on display.
Sports
The sports teams listed below are based in Oita.
Football (soccer)
Basketball
- Oita Heatdevils (Beppu)
Volleyball
Futsal
- Vasagey
Tourism
Ōita Prefecture is famous for its hot springs, particularly those in and around the city of Beppu, known as the 'hells', or jigoku. Many 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. Visitors particularly relish the effects of burial in steaming hot volcanic sands.
Beppu offers a wide range of cultural experiences, from an annual international music festival, to the unabashed Hihokan Sex Museum.
The elaborate 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.
Near the marine park, Mount Takasaki Monkey Park rises steeply from the shoreline. Two distinct troupes of wild macaque monkeys make regular visits to the feeding grounds here, which were initially established to entice the monkeys away from raiding the region's fruit crops, a behaviour that brought them into conflict with farmers. The wild macaques ignore the small crowds that gather at these feeding sessions, and may be observed at close quarters.
Beppu is a busy passenger port with regular ferry links through the inland sea to Osaka and several other destinations.
Other attractions of Ōita Prefecture include the Sanrio theme park Harmonyland.
Ōita's Mt. Hachimen is also home to the popular music festival, Concert on the Rock. This annual charity event sees over 30 international acts performing over a June weekend for the pleasure of Japan's music lovers. The natural surroundings make it one of the most picturesque rock festivals in the world.
Prefectural symbols
Miscellaneous topics
Media
- Oita Broadcasting System(OBS)
- Television Oita System(TOS)
- Oita Asahi Broadcasting(OAB)
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Ōita prefecture |
- Official Ōita Prefecture homepage
- Oita prefecture travel guide from Wikitravel
- Oita City Travel Guide from Wikitravel
- Oita JETs Homepage
- O-net Magazine -An internet magazine with 24 volumes of travel locations for Oita Prefecture
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