Koshikijima Islands - Koshikijima Islands

They are also called the Koshiki Islands, or simply Koshiki Islands. Koshiki Islands can also be read as "Koshikishima". They are a group of islands in the East China Sea that stretch from about 31 degrees 53 minutes north latitude and 129 degrees 56 minutes east longitude, about 35 kilometers west of Ichikikushikino City, Kagoshima Prefecture, to about 38 kilometers southwest. They consist of three main islands, Kamikoshiki Island, Nakakoshiki Island, and Shimokoshiki Island, and a group of smaller islands, and belong to Satsumasendai City. The total area is about 118 square kilometers, with Kamikoshiki Island (44.14 square kilometers), Nakakoshiki Island (7.30 square kilometers), and Shimokoshiki Island (66.12 square kilometers). The total population is 5,854 (2009). The area is designated as Koshikijima National Park.

Kamikoshikijima has a highest point of 423 meters (Toomekiyama) and is the island with the most bays and inlets. These have been blocked by gravel, creating lagoons such as the four Koshiki lakes (Namakoike, Kaiike, Kazakiike, and Sukuchiike). The tonneau at the northeastern end also complicates the coastline. The northeastern part is occupied by the Sato district, with two settlements, while the southwestern part and Nakakoshikijima are occupied by the Kamikoshiki district, with six main settlements in total. Shimokoshikijima is more mountainous than the other two islands, with the highest point being Odake, at 604 meters, but there are also mountains over 300 meters high that approach the coast and there is very little flat land. The northern part is occupied by the Kashima district, and the southern part by the Shimokoshiki district, with two and eight settlements respectively. The geology of Kamikoshikijima is made up of the Mesozoic Goshoura Group, the Paleogene Shimoshima Group, and some granite. Nakakoshikijima is made up of only the first two. Shimokoshikijima is made up of the Goshoura Group and granite. The climate is warm, and Ako, Gajumaru, and Hego trees grow naturally. Kanoko lilies are a famous local product. The nearby waters are a good fishing ground, with large catches of yellowtail, sea bream, sardines, mackerel, and other fish. There are daily high-speed boats and other ferry services from Kushikino Port to each island.

[Kimihiko Tsukada]

"Kawasaki Daiju, 'Koshikijima Chronological History Research Materials' (1961, Geospatial Information Association)" ▽ "Koshikijima Report" (1969, Kagoshima Women's Junior College)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

甑列島とも、単に甑島ともよぶ。また、甑島の読みは「こしきしま」とも。鹿児島県いちき串木野(くしきの)市西方洋上約35キロメートルの北緯31度53分、東経129度56分付近から南西に約38キロメートルにわたって延びる東シナ海上の島嶼(とうしょ)。上甑島(かみこしきじま)、中甑島(なかこしきじま)、下甑島(しもこしきじま)の主3島と小属島群よりなり、薩摩川内市(さつませんだいし)に属する。総面積約118平方キロメートルで、上甑島（44.14平方キロメートル）、中甑島（7.30平方キロメートル）、下甑島（66.12平方キロメートル）。総人口5854（2009）。甑島国定公園(こしきしまこくていこうえん)に指定される。

　上甑島は最高点423メートル（遠目木山(とおめきやま)）、湾入や入り江のもっとも多い島で、それらが砂礫(されき)により閉塞(へいそく)されてできた甑四湖（海鼠(なまこ)池、貝池、鍬崎(かざき)池、須口池）などの潟湖(せきこ)（ラグーン）がある。北東端の陸繋島(りくけいとう)も海岸線の地形を複雑にしている。北東部を里(さと)地区が占め、集落数2、南西部と中甑島を上甑地区が占め、おもな集落数6である。下甑島はほかの2島より山がちで最高点は604メートルの尾岳であるが、ほかに300メートル以上の山が海岸に迫り平地はごく少ない。北部を鹿島地区、南部を下甑地区が占め、集落数は2と8。上甑島の地質は中生代御所浦(ごしょうら)層群、古第三紀の下島層群と一部に花崗(かこう)岩。中甑島は前二者のみからなる。下甑島は御所浦層群と花崗岩よりなる。気候は温暖で、アコウ、ガジュマル、ヘゴも自生する。カノコユリは特産物として有名。近海はブリ、タイ、イワシ、サバなどの漁獲が多く、好漁場となっている。串木野港より各島へ高速船などでの船便が毎日ある。

［塚田公彦］

『川崎大十著『甑島編年史研究資料』（1961・国土地理協会）』▽『『甑島報告書』（1969・鹿児島女子短期大学）』

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