Izumi [village] - Izumi

Japanese: 泉[村] - いずみ

A village in Yatsushiro County in the central eastern part of Kumamoto Prefecture. Population 2,952 (1995). It borders Miyazaki Prefecture to the east. The entire village is part of the Kyushu Mountains, and forests account for 98% of the total area. The eastern part of the village is the center of Gokanosho, one of the most remote areas in the country, and known as a place where Heike refugees retreated. Agriculture and forestry are the main industries, and the village is also known for cultivating enoki mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms, as well as the specialty tea, and is a producer of high-quality timber. Slash-and-burn agriculture of buckwheat and barnyard millet has been practiced on the mountain slopes since ancient times, but is rarely seen today. The ancient Kureko dance, said to have been created by Heike refugees, is performed three times a year.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

熊本県中東部，八代郡の村。人口2952(1995)。東は宮崎県に接する。村全体が九州山地に属し，山林が総面積の98％に達する。村の東部は五家荘の中心地で，全国でも有数の秘境であり，平家の落人が隠棲した地として知られる。農林業が主体で，特産の茶を中心にエノキタケ，シイタケなどの栽培も盛んで，良材の産地でもある。古くから山地の斜面ではソバやヒエの焼畑農業が行われてきたが，現在はほとんどみられない。平家の落人の創作といわれる久連子古代踊が年3回踊られる。

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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