Takarajima (宝島), literally "treasure island", is one of the Tokara Islands, belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture. The island, 7.14 km² in area, has a population of 116 persons. The island can only be reached by boat as it has no airport; there is regular ferry service to the city of Kagoshima on the mainland of Kyushu. Travel time is about 13 hours. The islanders are dependent mainly on fishing and seasonal tourism.
Takarajima is the southernmost inhabited island in the Tokara archipelago, and is located 366 kilometres (198 nmi) from Kagoshima Port and 90 kilometres (49 nmi) north from Amami Ōshima. The highest peak, Imakiradake has a height of 292 metres (958 ft) above sea level The island is surrounded by a coral reef. Its climate is classified as subtropical, with a rainy season from May through September.
Historyedit
Numerous ceramic shards and the foundations of dwellings from the late Jōmon period and Yayoi period indicate that Takarajima has been continuously inhabited for at least the past 2000 years. Until 1624, the island was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
During the Edo period, Takarajima was part of Satsuma Domain and was administered as part of Kawabe District. In August 1824, a British ship violated Japan’s national seclusion policy and sent a landing party of 20-30 men, who attempted to steal cattle from the islanders. In the ensuing conflict, one British sailor was killed. The incident was one of the contributing factors to the Tokugawa Shogunate issuing the Edict to Repel Foreign Vessels in 1825. The incident was also the subject of a novel by modern writer Akira Yoshimura.
In 1896, the island was transferred to the administrative control of Ōshima District, Kagoshima, and from 1911 was part of the village of Toshima, Kagoshima. From 1946-1952, the island was administered by the United States as part of the Provisional Government of Northern Ryukyu Islands.
Referencesedit
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGIA). Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 Japan Enroute. Prostar Publications (2005). ISBN1577856511
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Takarajima.
Official home page
December 15, 2023
takarajima, this, article, about, island, other, uses, disambiguation, 宝島, literally, treasure, island, tokara, islands, belonging, kagoshima, prefecture, island, area, population, persons, island, only, reached, boat, airport, there, regular, ferry, service, . This article is about the island For other uses see Takarajima disambiguation Takarajima 宝島 literally treasure island is one of the Tokara Islands belonging to Kagoshima Prefecture The island 7 14 km in area has a population of 116 persons The island can only be reached by boat as it has no airport there is regular ferry service to the city of Kagoshima on the mainland of Kyushu Travel time is about 13 hours The islanders are dependent mainly on fishing and seasonal tourism TakarajimaNative name Japanese 宝島GeographyLocationEast China SeaCoordinates29 08 N 129 12 E 29 133 N 129 200 E 29 133 129 200ArchipelagoTokara IslandsArea7 14 km2 2 76 sq mi Coastline13 77 km 8 556 mi Highest elevation291 9 m 957 7 ft Highest pointImakiradakeAdministrationJapanKagoshima PrefectureDemographicsPopulation114 2004 Pop density16 25 km2 42 09 sq mi Ethnic groupsJapanese Contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 References 4 External linksGeography editTakarajima is the southernmost inhabited island in the Tokara archipelago and is located 366 kilometres 198 nmi from Kagoshima Port and 90 kilometres 49 nmi north from Amami Ōshima The highest peak Imakiradake has a height of 292 metres 958 ft above sea level The island is surrounded by a coral reef Its climate is classified as subtropical with a rainy season from May through September History editNumerous ceramic shards and the foundations of dwellings from the late Jōmon period and Yayoi period indicate that Takarajima has been continuously inhabited for at least the past 2000 years Until 1624 the island was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom During the Edo period Takarajima was part of Satsuma Domain and was administered as part of Kawabe District In August 1824 a British ship violated Japan s national seclusion policy and sent a landing party of 20 30 men who attempted to steal cattle from the islanders In the ensuing conflict one British sailor was killed The incident was one of the contributing factors to the Tokugawa Shogunate issuing the Edict to Repel Foreign Vessels in 1825 The incident was also the subject of a novel by modern writer Akira Yoshimura In 1896 the island was transferred to the administrative control of Ōshima District Kagoshima and from 1911 was part of the village of Toshima Kagoshima From 1946 1952 the island was administered by the United States as part of the Provisional Government of Northern Ryukyu Islands References editNational Geospatial Intelligence Agency NGIA Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 Japan Enroute Prostar Publications 2005 ISBN 1577856511External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Takarajima Official home page Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Takarajima amp oldid 1098623729, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
