Akaiwa, Okayama

Akaiwa
赤磐市
City

Flag

Location of Akaiwa in Okayama Prefecture
Akaiwa

Location in Japan

Coordinates: 34°45′N 134°1′E / 34.750°N 134.017°ECoordinates: 34°45′N 134°1′E / 34.750°N 134.017°E
Country Japan
Region Chūgoku (San'yō)
Prefecture Okayama Prefecture
Government
  Mayor Toshio Inoue (since April 2009)
Area
  Total 209.43 km2 (80.86 sq mi)
Population (January 1, 2011)
  Total 45,035
  Density 217.46/km2 (563.2/sq mi)
Time zone Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Symbols
- Tree Pinus
- Flower PeachCherry blossom
Address 344 Shimoichi, Akaiwa-shi, Okayama-ken
709-0898
Phone number 086-955-1111
Website www.city.akaiwa.lg.jp
Akaiwa city office

Akaiwa (赤磐市 Akaiwa-shi) is a city located in Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

As of January 1, 2012, the city has an estimated population of 45,035, with 17,192 households and a population density of 215.04 persons per km². The total area is 209.43 km².

The modern city of Akaiwa was established on March 7, 2005, from the merger of the towns of Akasaka, Kumayama, San'yō and Yoshii (all from Akaiwa District).

Akaiwa is one of three remaining places in Japan that produces the bamboo stalk for fude ink brushes. The harvested bamboo stalks are spread in the dry riverbed of the Yoshii River during the winter to dry under the sun. The stalks are then boiled in the town to remove impurities.[1]

Akaiwa is home to the Kumayama Archeological Site. The site was utilized as a sacred spot as early as the Yayoi period. A Buddhist temple, Reizan-ji, was active on Mount Kuma (507.8 m (1,666 ft)) from the early Nara to the Muromachi period. A 11.7 m (38 ft) stone base remains on the site, and is protected by the Japanese government. The stone base originally supported a large Buddhist statue.[2]

References

  1. 竹筆軸:「カラン」と天日干し 岡山の河川敷 (Japanese)
  2. "Kumayama Iseki". Nihon Rekishi Chimei Taikei (日本歴史地名大系 “Compendium of Japanese Historical Place Names”) (in Japanese). Tokyo: Netto Adobansusha. 2012. Retrieved 2012-02-21.

External links

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