Shimotsui

A district of Kurashiki City in the southern part of Okayama Prefecture. Formerly Shimotsui Town. Located at the southern tip of the Kojima Peninsula, it was known as Shimotsui Shikaura (Shimotsui, Fukiage, Tanoura, and Obatatake) in ancient times. A key location on the Seto Inland Sea route, it developed greatly after Ikeda Nagamasa (1589-1634) rebuilt Shimotsui Castle in 1606 (Keicho 11), and was known as a port of call for Kitamaebune ships, a fishing port, and a port used by pilgrims to Shikoku Kotohira Shrine. "Shimotsui Bushi," a song about the port, is a representative folk song of Okayama Prefecture. Shimotsui Gion Shrine preserves many documents related to shipping and maritime affairs. After the completion of the Great Setouchi Bridge, the main transportation route to Shikoku was transferred from the Untaka Ferry to the Honshu-Shikoku Bridge, and the Shimotsui Great Setouchi Bridge on the Kojima-Sakaiide route stretches from near Washuuyama behind the Tanoura district to Hitsuishijima, and continues on towards Shikoku.

[Shogo Yuihama]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

岡山県南部、倉敷(くらしき)市の一地区。旧下津井町。児島(こじま)半島南端にあり、古来、下津井四ヶ浦（下津井、吹上(ふきあげ)、田之浦、大畠(おばたけ)）とよばれた。瀬戸内海航路の要地で、1606年（慶長11）池田長政(ながまさ)（1589―1634）が下津井城を再建してから大いに発展し、北前船(きたまえぶね)の寄港地、漁港、四国金刀比羅宮(ことひらぐう)への参詣者の利用港として知られた。港を歌った『下津井節』は岡山県の代表的民謡。下津井祇園(ぎおん)神社は海運、海事資料を多く保存している。瀬戸大橋の完成後、四国との基幹交通路は宇高連絡船から本州四国連絡橋に移っていて、児島―坂出(さかいで)ルートの下津井瀬戸大橋が田之浦地区背後の鷲羽(わしゅう)山付近から櫃石島(ひついしじま)に架かり、さらに四国方面へ通じている。

［由比浜省吾］

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