Uwajima, Ehime

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Uwajima**
**宇和島市**
Uwajima's location in Ehime, Japan.
Location
Country	Japan
Region	Shikoku
Prefecture	Ehime
Physical characteristics
Area	469.48 km² (181.27 sq mi)
Population (as of December 1, 2005)
Total	92,418
Density	196.85 /km² (510 /sq mi)
Location	33°13′N, 132°34′E
Symbols
Flag
Uwajima Government Office
Address	〒798-8601 1 Akebonochō, Uwajima-shi, Ehime-ken
Phone number	(0895) 24-1111
Official website: City of Uwajima

Uwajima (宇和島市, Uwajima-shi^?) 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, which is in the northernmost area of Ehime.

1 Municipal timeline
2 Attractions
- 2.1 Tsushima
3 Gallery
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Municipal timeline

[edit] Before the city days

1889: The town system began
1917: Maruho village was merged with Uwajima

[edit] 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

[edit] After the second founding

August 1, 2005: The city merged with the municipalities of Tsushima, Yoshida, and Mima to form the new city of Uwajima.

[edit] Attractions

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.

A mask of Ushioni (牛鬼 Ushioni^?), the Cow Demon, one of the many used throughout history during the bullfighting festival.

The city is renowned for its bullfighting, but they differ from the more widely-known Spanish bullfights in that there is no matador. Two bulls are brought together in a ring, and fight until one bull's knees touch the ground or flees from the ring, marking it the loser. Except for special occasions, the bullfights are held on January 2nd, the second Sunday of April, July 24th, and August 14th.

[edit] Tsushima

Tsushima 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.

Nanryakuen Park is a beautiful place to go for a walk. There is also a children's amusement area called Playland across the street.