Shimamaki [village] - Shimamaki

Japanese: 島牧[村] - しままき

A village in Shimamaki District, Shiribeshi Subprefecture, in western Hokkaido. Facing the Sea of Japan to the north. Population 2,301 (1995). The name is said to be a corrupted version of the Ainu word "Shumakomaki" (meaning "with rocks behind"). Since a customs office was established by a person from Esashi during the Bunka era (1804-1818), the village has prospered through herring fishing. Fishing villages are dotted along the coast, and farmland can be seen in the basins of small rivers. The main catches include Atka mackerel, squid, and octopus. Agriculture is limited to small-scale farmers who operate a few rice paddies and field crops.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

北海道西部，後志（しりべし）支庁島牧郡の村。北は日本海に面する。人口2301(1995)。村名はアイヌ語の〈シュマコマキ(背後に岩のあるの意)〉より転訛したといわれる。文化年間(1804‐1818)に江差の人が運上屋を開設して以来ニシン漁で栄えた。海岸部には漁業集落が点在し，小河川の流域には農地が見られる。おもな漁獲物にはホッケ，イカ，タコなどがある。農業は零細経営の農家がわずかな水田と畑作を営む程度である。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

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