Shikanoshima Island

Shikanoshima is a torpedo island at the tip of Uminonakamichi, which separates Hakata Bay from the Genkai Sea in northwest Fukuoka Prefecture, and is part of Higashi Ward, Fukuoka City. It has a circumference of about 11 kilometers, an area of ​​5.72 square kilometers, and an oval shape that is slightly elongated from north to south. Its maximum elevation is 169 meters. It is a mountainous island made mainly of granodiorite, with steep cliffs on the eastern side. The sand spit at the tip of Uminonakamichi is submerged at high tide, so it is connected to the island by Shikanoshima Bridge. There are settlements such as the fishing village of Shiga near the bridge, the farming village of Katsuma in the north, and the semi-farming, semi-fishing village of Hiro on the west bank. As for industry, the gentle northwest slope is used for the forced cultivation of loquats, mandarin oranges, strawberries, and vegetables, taking advantage of the warm climate caused by the warm Tsushima Current, and fishing is also thriving, including line-and-line fishing in the Genkai Sea and small bottom trawl nets. The island is part of the Genkai Quasi-National Park, and is a scenic spot rich in historical sites, such as Kin'in Park, where the golden seal "Kannowa no Na no Kokuoin" (national treasure) was discovered, which was discovered by a farmer in 1784 (Tenmei 4), Moukozuka, the site of an ancient battlefield from the Mongol invasions, and Shikanoumijinja, known as the guardian deity of the sea. The island is also equipped with facilities such as a vacation village, national lodgings, observation decks, and beaches, and is bustling with beachgoers in summer and hikers in spring and autumn. It was recorded as Kasuya County Shikago in the Wamyōshō (Japanese Book of Myo-shō) in ancient times, and since the Man'yōshū (Man'yōshū) it has been widely known as a place of poetry, with many Man'yō poem monuments erected on the island. Buses are available from Saitozaki Station, the last stop on the JR Kashii Line, and municipal ferries can be taken from Hakata Port. Population 2,316 (2000).

[Masaaki Ishiguro]

"The Story of Shika Island, Home of the Golden Seal" by Yutaka Chikushi (1980, Literature Publishing)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

福岡県北西部、玄界灘(げんかいなだ)から博多(はかた)湾を限る海ノ中道(うみのなかみち)先端の陸繋島(りくけいとう)で、福岡市東区に属する。周囲約11キロメートル、面積5.72平方キロメートルで、やや南北に長い楕円(だえん)形をなす。最高標高169メートル。おもに花崗閃緑(かこうせんりょく)岩からなる山地状の島で、東側は急崖(きゅうがい)が発達している。海ノ中道先端の砂嘴(さし)は満潮時には水没するため、志賀島橋で結ばれている。架橋付近に漁業集落の志賀、北部に農業集落の勝馬(かつま)、西岸に半農半漁集落の弘(ひろ)などの集落がある。産業は、北西緩斜面において対馬(つしま)暖流による温暖な気候を利用してビワ、ミカン、イチゴ、野菜の促成栽培が行われ、玄界灘の一本釣り、小型底引網などの漁業も盛んである。玄海国定公園に属し、1784年（天明4）農民が発見した金印「漢委奴国王印(かんのわのなのこくおういん)」（国宝）の出土地である金印公園や、元寇(げんこう)古戦場跡の蒙古(もうこ)塚、海の守護神として知られる志賀海神社(しかのうみじんじゃ)などの史跡に富む景勝地。島内には休暇村をはじめ国民宿舎、展望台、海水浴場などの施設も整備され、夏は海水浴客、春・秋はハイキング客でにぎわう。古くは『和名抄(わみょうしょう)』に糟屋(かすや)郡志珂郷(しかごう)と記載され、『万葉集』以降歌枕(うたまくら)としても広く知られ、島内には万葉歌碑が多く建っている。JR香椎(かしい)線終点西戸崎(さいとざき)駅からバスが、博多港から市営渡船が通じている。人口2316（2000）。

［石黒正紀］

『筑紫豊著『金印のふるさと志賀島物語』（1980・文献出版）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例