Chibu, Shimane
Encyclopedia
is a village
located on in the Douzen group of islands in the Oki District
, Shimane
, Japan
. Chibu is the only village remaining in Shimane Prefecture as of October 1, 2005.
As of Japan's 2010 census, the village has a population
of 657 people, constituting 326 households, and a density
of about 48 persons per km². This is a decrease of 68 people (9.4%) from the previous census conducted in 2005. A population estimate from March 2011 placed Chibu's population at 656 people, 334 men and 322 women.
group of islands. These islands were formed from a single ancient volcanic island. The caldera
of the volcano collapsed, leaving three islands in a ring formation.
Chiburi Island is generally mountainous, but the south central area is somewhat flat. There are a number of sea cliffs, particularly on the western side of the island which faces the open expanse of the Sea of Japan
. The elevation of Chiburi Island ranges from 0m (at sea-level) to 325m. The island has a land-area of approximately 13.7 km2. This includes 18 smaller uninhabited islands located near Chiburi Island. The island's two most well-known natural features are and . Akakabe is a unique sea-cliff in Oki composed of red rock.
The Village of Chibu is composed of 7 smaller neighborhoods, called in Japanese. These neighborhoods are , , , , , , and . The village is served by a sea port located in Kurii which provides ship transportation among the 3 islands of Douzen, to Okinoshima
, and to the mainland. There is also a heliport for medical emergencies.
, Chibu is within the Sea of Japan climate zone. Summers temperatures, though usually mild, are exacerbated by high humidity. Winter temperatures are also generally mild, though exacerbated by strong wind. The surrounding ocean has a warming effect, making winters milder than the mainland. Consequently, there is very little snow on Chibu, and what snow does fall usually melts quickly.
The nearest weather station is located on the nearby island of Ama
. Chibu's average annual high and low temperatures are 17.6°C (64°F) and 10.5°C (51°F), with yearly mean of 14.4°C (58°F). The record high and low temperatures are 34.9°C (95°F) and -2.9°C (27°F) respectively. The average yearly humidity is 76%. Chibu receives an average of 1,662 mm (65.43 in) of precipitation a year.
, 4000 years before present. Other ancient tombs built in the Yayoi
(2300 BP) and Kofun
(1700 BP) periods were also found. Also, the Oki Islands, including Chiburi Island, are mentioned in Japan's two most ancient texts, Kojiki
and Nihon Shoki
. In the Asuka period
, the area became incorporated into the encompassing both Chiburi Island and Nishinoshima
.
. These include the following, all of which are read "Chiburi": 知夫里, 知夫, 知夫利, 智夫, 道触 (see below), 知振, 千振, and 千波. There are two different theories regarding the name "Chiburi Island".
The first and most likely is that the name came from the name of a Shinto
god enshrined on Chiburi Island's . The god, called , is a god protecting ships. Since Chiburi Island is the closest to the mainland of the Oki Islands, ships coming to and departing from Oki would stop on Chiburi Island and ask the god for a safe voyage. Over time, the name "Chiburi" stuck and the island became known as "Chiburi Island" from whence the name "Chibu Village" was derived.
The second theory is that the name came from the use of smoke signal
s sent between Chiburi Island and the mainland for communication. Since Chiburi Island is the closest, it was the easiest to see between the Oki Islands and the mainland.
and
Villages of Japan
A is a local administrative unit in Japan.It is a local public body along with , , and . Geographically, a village's extent is contained within a prefecture....
located on in the Douzen group of islands in the Oki District
Oki District, Shimane
is a district located in Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 24,500 and a density of 70.79 persons per km². The total area is 346.10 km².The Oki District encompasses the Oki Islands, historically called Oki Province....
, Shimane
Shimane Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is Matsue. It is the second least populous prefecture in Japan, after its eastern neighbor Tottori. The prefecture has an area elongated from east to west facing the Chūgoku Mountain Range on the south side and to...
, 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...
. Chibu is the only village remaining in Shimane Prefecture as of October 1, 2005.
As of Japan's 2010 census, the village has a population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of 657 people, constituting 326 households, and a density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
of about 48 persons per km². This is a decrease of 68 people (9.4%) from the previous census conducted in 2005. A population estimate from March 2011 placed Chibu's population at 656 people, 334 men and 322 women.
Geography
Chibu is located on , the smallest of the DouzenOki District, Shimane
is a district located in Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the district has an estimated population of 24,500 and a density of 70.79 persons per km². The total area is 346.10 km².The Oki District encompasses the Oki Islands, historically called Oki Province....
group of islands. These islands were formed from a single ancient volcanic island. The caldera
Caldera
A caldera is a cauldron-like volcanic feature usually formed by the collapse of land following a volcanic eruption, such as the one at Yellowstone National Park in the US. They are sometimes confused with volcanic craters...
of the volcano collapsed, leaving three islands in a ring formation.
Chiburi Island is generally mountainous, but the south central area is somewhat flat. There are a number of sea cliffs, particularly on the western side of the island which faces the open expanse of the Sea of Japan
Sea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
. The elevation of Chiburi Island ranges from 0m (at sea-level) to 325m. The island has a land-area of approximately 13.7 km2. This includes 18 smaller uninhabited islands located near Chiburi Island. The island's two most well-known natural features are and . Akakabe is a unique sea-cliff in Oki composed of red rock.
The Village of Chibu is composed of 7 smaller neighborhoods, called in Japanese. These neighborhoods are , , , , , , and . The village is served by a sea port located in Kurii which provides ship transportation among the 3 islands of Douzen, to Okinoshima
Okinoshima, Shimane
is a town located on Dōgo, one of the Oki Islands, in Shimane, Japan.Japan considers the disputed Liancourt Rocks to be a part of Okinoshima.As of January 2008, the town has an estimated population of 16,214. The total area is 242.97 km²....
, and to the mainland. There is also a heliport for medical emergencies.
Climate
As an island located in the Sea of JapanSea of Japan
The Sea of Japan is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, between the Asian mainland, the Japanese archipelago and Sakhalin. It is bordered by Japan, North Korea, Russia and South Korea. Like the Mediterranean Sea, it has almost no tides due to its nearly complete enclosure from the Pacific...
, Chibu is within the Sea of Japan climate zone. Summers temperatures, though usually mild, are exacerbated by high humidity. Winter temperatures are also generally mild, though exacerbated by strong wind. The surrounding ocean has a warming effect, making winters milder than the mainland. Consequently, there is very little snow on Chibu, and what snow does fall usually melts quickly.
The nearest weather station is located on the nearby island of Ama
Ama, Shimane
is a town located in Oki District, Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 2,543 and a density of 75.91 persons per km². The total area is 33.50 km².-External links:*...
. Chibu's average annual high and low temperatures are 17.6°C (64°F) and 10.5°C (51°F), with yearly mean of 14.4°C (58°F). The record high and low temperatures are 34.9°C (95°F) and -2.9°C (27°F) respectively. The average yearly humidity is 76%. Chibu receives an average of 1,662 mm (65.43 in) of precipitation a year.
History
The earliest evidence of human habitation of Chibu is the tomb called located in Urumi. The tomb is dated to the Jōmon periodJomon period
The is the time in Japanese prehistory from about 14,000 BC to 300 BC.The term jōmon means "cord-patterned" in Japanese. This refers to the pottery style characteristic of the Jōmon culture, and which has markings made using sticks with cords wrapped around them...
, 4000 years before present. Other ancient tombs built in the Yayoi
Yayoi period
The is an Iron Age era in the history of Japan traditionally dated 300 BC to 300 AD. It is named after the neighbourhood of Tokyo where archaeologists first uncovered artifacts and features from that era. Distinguishing characteristics of the Yayoi period include the appearance of new...
(2300 BP) and Kofun
Kofun period
The is an era in the history of Japan from around 250 to 538. It follows the Yayoi period. The word kofun is Japanese for the type of burial mounds dating from this era. The Kofun and the subsequent Asuka periods are sometimes referred to collectively as the Yamato period...
(1700 BP) periods were also found. Also, the Oki Islands, including Chiburi Island, are mentioned in Japan's two most ancient texts, Kojiki
Kojiki
is the oldest extant chronicle in Japan, dating from the early 8th century and composed by Ō no Yasumaro at the request of Empress Gemmei. The Kojiki is a collection of myths concerning the origin of the four home islands of Japan, and the Kami...
and Nihon Shoki
Nihon Shoki
The , sometimes translated as The Chronicles of Japan, is the second oldest book of classical Japanese history. It is more elaborate and detailed than the Kojiki, the oldest, and has proven to be an important tool for historians and archaeologists as it includes the most complete extant historical...
. In the Asuka period
Asuka period
The , was a period in the history of Japan lasting from 538 to 710 , although its beginning could be said to overlap with the preceding Kofun period...
, the area became incorporated into the encompassing both Chiburi Island and Nishinoshima
Nishinoshima, Shimane
is a town located in Oki District, Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the town has an estimated population of 3,590 and a density of 64.13 persons per km². The total area is 55.98 km².Nishinoshima is located on one of the Oki Islands.-External links:*...
.
Etymology of Chiburi Island and Chibu
Over time, Chibu and have been written with various different kanjiKanji
Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters hanzi that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana , katakana , Indo Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet...
. These include the following, all of which are read "Chiburi": 知夫里, 知夫, 知夫利, 智夫, 道触 (see below), 知振, 千振, and 千波. There are two different theories regarding the name "Chiburi Island".
The first and most likely is that the name came from the name of a Shinto
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
god enshrined on Chiburi Island's . The god, called , is a god protecting ships. Since Chiburi Island is the closest to the mainland of the Oki Islands, ships coming to and departing from Oki would stop on Chiburi Island and ask the god for a safe voyage. Over time, the name "Chiburi" stuck and the island became known as "Chiburi Island" from whence the name "Chibu Village" was derived.
The second theory is that the name came from the use of smoke signal
Smoke signal
The smoke signal is one of the oldest forms of communication in recorded history. It is a form of visual communication used over long distance.-History and usage:...
s sent between Chiburi Island and the mainland for communication. Since Chiburi Island is the closest, it was the easiest to see between the Oki Islands and the mainland.
Culture and Recreation
Government
The government of Chibu is organized with the mayor at the top, followed by the vice-mayor, treasurer, and 4 department chiefs, in that order. There is also a village board of 8 members elected for 4-year terms. The mayor of Chibu is elected for a 4-year term. The vice-mayor is appointed by the mayor and approved by the village board. The mayor and vice-mayor, as of November 2008, are Mr. Tatsuo Yada and Mr. Nobuyuki Watanabe, respectively. The board of education operates independently of the normal village office structure. The chief of the board of education is also appointed by the mayor and approved by the village board.Festivals and events
- is a festival held bi-annually, usually at the end of July. This festival is common throughout Japan, and the main event is carrying a mikoshiMikoshiA is a divine palanquin . Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle to transport a deity in Japan while moving between main shrine and temporary shrine during a festival or when moving to a new shrine...
through the town. The home temple for this is Chibu's . Another common event during this festival is kodomo kabuki, or children's kabukiKabukiis classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.The individual kanji characters, from left to right, mean sing , dance , and skill...
. Chibu's tradition has it that there was once a serious sickness on Chibu, and, after it passed, dances and kabuki were performed by children in celebration.
- is a festival that was celebrated commonly across Japan in the past, but is recently becoming rarer. In the past, a famous monk named Kōbō-DaishiKukaiKūkai , also known posthumously as , 774–835, was a Japanese monk, civil servant, scholar, poet, and artist, founder of the Shingon or "True Word" school of Buddhism. Shingon followers usually refer to him by the honorific titles of and ....
traveled throughout Japan and founded many temples. The festival started as a way for people to "copy" him by visiting various small temples in their town. Usually food is available at each location for visitors. The food is made by married women who often start preparing the food early in the morning. In Chibu, this festival is usually held in April.
- is an event that, like Odaishi-san mawari, was more common in the past, but is less common now. A rope (or "snake") is braided from dried rice-straw, and wrapped around a tree. This for good luck in the year's harvest, and usually is done in the fall.
- is a festival held in April for a beef-cattle show and to kick off the tourist season. Typical events in the festival are a cow show, karaoke contest, performances by elementary and kindergarten children, local folk songs called , and occasionally hired music talent. Festival food is also sold such as Oki beef, oysters, and yakisobaYakisoba', literally "fried noodles", is a dish often sold at festivals in Japan, but originates in China. The dish was derived by the Chinese from the traditional chow mein, but has been more heavily integrated into Japanese cuisine like ramen...
.
- is a small traditional festival not unique to Chibu held in October for good luck in the harvest and safety for marine vessels. Drums are played and a dance is performed to send luck to the town.
and
- are common events throughout Japan usually held in November and October, respectively. In many other places, towns and schools may hold their own separate events. However, on Chibu the village and school combine because of the small population.
Trivia
- Chibu is the only village in Shimane-ken since October 1, 2005.
- Chibu is the only island of the Oki Islands with tanukiTanukiis the common Japanese name for the Japanese raccoon dog . They have been part of Japanese folklore since ancient times...
. There are only about 600 people but probably more than 2000 tanuki. - In 2008, Chibu was featured in a TV drama called , starring the twins Mana and Kana and produced by NHKNHKNHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
. - In April 1982 a washed up on Chibu, and was identified by a professor of zoologyZoologyZoology |zoölogy]]), is the branch of biology that relates to the animal kingdom, including the structure, embryology, evolution, classification, habits, and distribution of all animals, both living and extinct...
from Kyoto UniversityKyoto University, or is a national university located in Kyoto, Japan. It is the second oldest Japanese university, and formerly one of Japan's Imperial Universities.- History :...
. It was 6.8m long and 1.7m wide, with a "neck-like thing" 1.5m long. People named it after Nessy, and called the event the . - From 1996 until 2008, the head monk of Chibu's Ikū-jinja would not allow the mikoshiMikoshiA is a divine palanquin . Shinto followers believe that it serves as the vehicle to transport a deity in Japan while moving between main shrine and temporary shrine during a festival or when moving to a new shrine...
to be used for Amasashi hiko no mikoto jinja reisai. This is because in 1996 the men carrying the mikoshi became too drunk and excited and took it into the ocean, turning it upside-down in the process. Since this is a very disrespectful act, the monk forbid the use of the mikoshi. - Chibu may be the smallest administrative body in Japan, otherwise known as a "contracting organization", to employ an Assistant Language TeacherAssistant Language TeacherAssistant Language Teacher is a term that was created by the Japanese Ministry of Education at the time of the creation of the JET Programme as a translation of the term 外国語指導助手 or literally "foreign language instruction assistant." The terms AET , ELT and NESA Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)...
(ALT) of English.