Washima [village] - Washima

Japanese: 和島[村] - わしま

A village in Santo County, central Niigata Prefecture. Population 5,232 (1995). It is at the northern end of the Higashikubiki Hills and faces the Sea of Japan to the west. The Shimazaki River runs through the center, along which the JR Echigo Line and National Route 116 run. In 1307 (Tokuji 2), Myohoji Temple, founded by Nichiren's disciple Nichisho, was built, and it became a center for missionary work in Hokuetsu. In the early modern period, the Shimazaki River was renovated and the area flourished as a key route for transporting goods between Niigata and Kashiwazaki. Rice is the main crop, and the hills on the east and west block the seasonal winds, making it known as a producer of early-season rice.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

新潟県中部，三島（さんとう）郡の村。人口5232(1995)。東頸城（ひがしくびき）丘陵の北端にあたり，西は日本海に面する。中央部を島崎川が貫流し，これに沿ってJR越後線，国道116号線が通じる。1307年(徳治2)日蓮の高弟日昭を開基とする妙法寺が建立され，北越布教の中心地となった。近世には，島崎川改修により新潟～柏崎間の物資輸送の要路として栄えた。米作が主で，東西の丘陵部で季節風がさえぎられることから，早場米の産地として知られている。

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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