Shimotsu

The former name of a town (Shimotsu-cho) in Kaiso-gun, facing the Kii Channel, in the northwest of Wakayama Prefecture. The area now occupies the western part of Kainan City. The former Shimotsu-cho was formed in 1938 (Showa 13) when Hamanaka Village was incorporated as a town and became Shimotsu-cho. In 1955 (Showa 30), it merged with Osaki-cho and the three villages of Ningi, Kamo, and Shiotsu. In 2005 (Heisei 17), it was merged into Kainan City. The JR Kisei Main Line (Kinokuni Line), National Routes 42 and 480 pass through the area, and the Hanwa Expressway Shimotsu Interchange is located here. The area developed around Shimotsuura in the medieval Hamamaka Sho, and is therefore called Shimotsu-cho. The western part is a ria coast with good ports such as Shimotsu, Osaki, and Shiotsu. Osaki at the mouth of Shimotsu Bay is a port that is also mentioned in the Manyoshu, and flourished as a port of trade ships during the Edo period. Shiotsu was also a trade ship port, and is now a fishing port. Shimotsu at the head of Shimotsu Bay was developed as an oil port in 1939 due to the location of the refineries of Maruzen Oil (now Cosmo Oil) and Toa Fuel (now JXTG Energy), and is now the main port of the international hub port of Wakayama Shimotsu Port. Maruzen Oil subsequently withdrew, and a bridge and steel frame manufacturer moved into the site. The area is a major producer of Arita mandarins, and Tachibanamoto Shrine, which is said to be the ancestor of mandarins, is located in Tachibanamoto. Chohoji Temple is home to the graves of the lords of the Kii domain (national historic site), and many cultural assets (national treasures) from the Kamakura period, such as the main hall, the main gate, and the pagoda. Zenpuku-in Shakado is a national treasure building from the Kamakura period.

[Yoichi Koike]

"Shimotsu Town History" 4 volumes (1964-1977, Shimotsu Town)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

和歌山県北西部、紀伊水道に面する海草郡(かいそうぐん)にあった旧町名（下津町(ちょう)）。現在は海南市の西部を占める地域。旧下津町は、1938年（昭和13）浜中(はまなか)村が町制を施行して下津町となり、1955年（昭和30）大崎(おおさき)町と仁義(にんぎ)、加茂、塩津の3村と合併。2005年（平成17）海南市に合併した。JR紀勢本線（きのくに線）、国道42号、480号が通じ、阪和自動車道下津インターチェンジがある。中世の浜中荘(しょう)のなかで下津浦を中心に発達した地なので下津町という。西部はリアス式海岸で、下津、大崎、塩津などの良港がある。下津湾口の大崎は『万葉集』にも詠まれた港で、江戸期は廻船(かいせん)の港として栄えた。塩津も廻船港で、現在は漁港となっている。下津湾頭の下津は1939年に丸善石油（現、コスモ石油）、東亜燃料（現、JXTGエネルギー）の精油工場立地により石油港湾として整備され、現在は国際拠点港湾和歌山下津港の主要港となっている。その後、丸善石油は撤退し、跡地には橋梁(きょうりょう)・鉄骨メーカーが進出している。地域は有田(ありだ)ミカンの主産地で、橘本(きつもと)にはミカンの祖神とされる橘本神社がある。長保寺には、紀伊藩主の墓所（国の史跡）があり、本堂、大門、多宝塔など鎌倉時代の文化財（国宝）も多い。善福院釈迦堂(しゃかどう)は鎌倉時代の国宝建造物。

［小池洋一］

『『下津町史』全4冊（1964～1977・下津町）』

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