Kakeromajima

Kakeromajima
Native name: <span class="nickname" ">加計呂麻島, Kakeromajima

View of Kakeromajima from Kochiyama on Amami-Oshima
Geography
Location East China Sea
Coordinates 28°07′29″N 129°14′41″E / 28.12472°N 129.24472°E / 28.12472; 129.24472Coordinates: 28°07′29″N 129°14′41″E / 28.12472°N 129.24472°E / 28.12472; 129.24472
Archipelago Amami Islands
Area 77.39 km2 (29.88 sq mi)
Coastline 147.5 km (91.65 mi)
Highest elevation 314 m (1,030 ft)
Administration
Japan
Prefectures Kagoshima Prefecture
District Ōshima District
Town Setouchi
Demographics
Population 1,600 (2013)
Ethnic groups Japanese

Kakeromajima (加計呂麻島) or Kakeroma-tō[1] is one of the Satsunan Islands, classed with the Amami archipelago between Kyūshū and Okinawa.[2]

The island, 77.39 km2 (29.88 sq mi) in area, has a population of approximately 1,600 persons. Administratively it part of the town of Setouchi in Kagoshima Prefecture. Much of the island is within the borders of the Amami Guntō Quasi-National Park.

Geography

Kakeromajima is a rugged island southeast of Amami Oshima, from which it is separated by a narrow strait. The island has an area of 77.30 km2 (29.85 sq mi), but a coastline approximately 147.5 km (91.7 mi). The highest point is 314 metres (1,030 ft) above sea level. The coast of the island is surrounded by a coral reef.

The climate of Kakeromajima is classified as a humid subtropical climate (Köppen climate classification Cfa) with very warm summers and mild winters. The rainy season lasts from May through September. The island is subject to frequent typhoons.

History

It is uncertain when Kakeromajima was first settled. The island came under the control of the Satsuma Domain in 1609 and its incorporation into the official holdings of that domain was recognized by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1624. After the Meiji Restoration it was incorporated into Ōsumi Province and later became part of Kagoshima Prefecture. During World War II, the island was fortified and garrisoned by the Japanese military, and served as an occasional anchorage for ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy and in the final stages of the war, as a base for Shinyo-class suicide motorboats. Anti-aircraft batteries on Kakeromajima shot down 18 Allied aircraft attempting to bomb neighboring Amami-Oshima.

Following World War II, although with the other Amami Islands, Kakeromajima was occupied by the United States until 1953, at which time it reverted to the control of Japan.

Transportation

Kakeromajima is connected to Amami-Oshima by frequent ferry services. There had 30 small hamlets on the island, but no main settlement.

References

  1. ↑ Matsumoto, et al., "Some Problems of Folk-Religion in the Southwest Islands (Ryūkyū)," p. 117. "Itō Mikiharu (Kanji), 1958: Amami no kami-matsuri, Kakeroma-tō noro-shinji chōsa-hōkoku (Festivals of Amami, Fieldreport on the Noro-Cult of Kakeroma Island), Kokugakuin-daigaku Nippon-bunka-kenkyūsho kiyo 3: 53-139."
  2. ↑ Teikoku's Complete Atlas of Japan, Teikoku-Shoin Co., Ltd., Tokyo, ISBN 4-8071-0004-1
  3. ↑ Gabriel, "Notes to Pages 9-11," p. 237. "Several full-scale shinyo models were constructed for the 1989 movie Shi no toge, shot partly on location in Kakeromajima."

Further reading

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