Itsukushima

An island in the southwest of Hiroshima Prefecture, in the western part of Hiroshima Bay. It is also called Miyajima (Miyajima) because Itsukushima Shrine is located there. It belongs to Hatsukaichi City. Its area is 30.39 square kilometers. It faces the mainland across the 600-meter-wide Ono Strait. The geology is mottled biotite granite, and the entire mountain is covered in virgin forest. The highest point is Misen (529.8 meters), and the view from the summit is wonderful. The surrounding area is also designated as a national natural monument as the "Misen Primeval Forest." Itsukushima Shrine is located at the northern foot of Misen, and a temple town is formed around it. Since ancient times, it has been a scenic spot that has been counted as one of the three most scenic spots in Japan, known as "Aki no Miyajima," and is also part of the Setonaikai National Park, and has been designated as a special historic site and special place of scenic beauty. The group of buildings at Itsukushima Shrine, the sea in front of it, and the forest behind it were registered as a World Heritage Site in 1996 (Heisei 8).

The entire island is considered a sacred place, and it was only during the Sengoku period that anyone other than those who served the shrine began to live there. However, the rules for this sacred island were strict, and activities such as growing grains and weaving on the island were prohibited, and there were various restrictions on childbirth and funerals. It was also treated as a special region during the Edo period. The island is home to the Miyajima Natural Plant Laboratory attached to Hiroshima University, the History and Folklore Museum, and an aquarium. Tsutsumigaura Nature Park is located along the northeastern coast. A ferry connects the island to Miyajima Pier from Miyajimaguchi in Hatsukaichi City on the mainland, and high-speed boats also run to Hiroshima Port. The island is known for its specialties such as ladles and potter's wheel crafts. Population: 2,193 (2000).

[Kitagawa Kenji]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

広島県南西部、広島湾西部にある島。厳島神社の所在地で宮島(みやじま)ともいう。廿日市(はつかいち)市に属す。面積30.39平方キロメートル。幅600メートルの大野瀬戸を隔てて本土と対する。地質は斑(はん)状黒雲母花崗(くろうんもかこう)岩で、全山原生林で覆われる。最高所は弥山(みせん)（529.8メートル）で、頂上からの展望はすばらしい。また付近一帯は「瀰山(みせん)原始林」として国の天然記念物に指定されている。弥山の北麓(ろく)に厳島神社が鎮座し、門前町を形成する。古来、「安芸の宮島(あきのみやじま)」として日本三景の一つに数えられる風光の地で、瀬戸内海国立公園の一部でもあり、特別史跡・特別名勝にも指定されている。厳島神社の建造物群と前面の海、背後の森林とは、1996年（平成8）、世界遺産の文化遺産として登録された（世界文化遺産）。

　島全体が神霊の地とされ、神社に仕える者以外の居住が始まったのは戦国時代からである。しかし神聖な島に対する掟(おきて)は厳しく、島内で五穀をつくること、機(はた)織りなどは禁じられ、出産、葬式にもいろいろな規制があった。江戸時代にも特別地域として扱われた。島内に広島大学附属宮島自然植物実験所、歴史民俗資料館、水族館などがある。また、北東の海岸沿いに包ヶ浦(つつみがうら)自然公園がある。本土側の廿日市市宮島口から宮島桟橋まで連絡船で結ばれ、広島港にも高速船が通じる。特産品として杓子(しゃくし)や、ろくろ細工が知られる。人口2193（2000）。

［北川建次］

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