Kakeroma Island

An island located southwest of Amami Oshima in Kagoshima Prefecture, separated by the Oshima Strait. It is located at approximately 28 degrees north latitude. It belongs to Setouchi Town, Oshima District. Its area is 77.39 square kilometers. Because the surrounding area is submerged, it has a complex coastline with many bays and capes. The long axis of the island runs from northwest to southeast. There is little low-lying land on the coast, and the area suddenly becomes mountainous above sea level. The highest point is Mt. Yumishi, at 314 meters. The cove facing the Oshima Strait is deep, and the two islands block the wind, so it is used as a refuge port during typhoons. The geology is mainly quartzite, sandstone, and slate, which continues from the main island of Oshima. Small settlements are dotted along the coast, but perhaps because they were once isolated with little overland traffic, each has its own unique customs and traditions that remain today, and the Shodon Theater in the Shodon area has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the government. There are regular services between the area and Koniya Port on the main island. It is also known for having many hubs. Population 1,516 (2009).

[Kimihiko Tsukada]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

鹿児島県、奄美大島(あまみ)の南西に大島海峡を隔てて位置する島。北緯28度付近にあたる。大島郡瀬戸内町(せとうちちょう)に属する。面積77.39平方キロメートル。周囲が沈水性の地形であるため、湾入や岬の多い複雑な海岸線を示す。島の長軸は北西―南東方向。海岸部には低平地が少なく、海面からいきなり山地となる。最高点は弓師岳(ゆみしだけ)で314メートル。大島海峡に面する入り江は水深が深く、両島によって風も遮られるため、台風時の避難港に利用される。地質は大島本島より続く、珪岩(けいがん)、砂岩、粘板岩などが主体。小集落が海岸部に点在するが、かつては陸路の交流が少ない孤立状態であったせいか、現在残っている習俗などにそれぞれの特色があり、諸鈍(しょどん)地区の諸鈍芝居は国の重要無形民俗文化財に指定されている。交通は本島の古仁屋(こにや)港との間に定期便がある。ハブの多いことでも知られる。人口1516（2009）。

［塚田公彦］

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