Matsue, Shimane
Encyclopedia
is the capital city
of Shimane Prefecture
in the Chūgoku region of Japan
.
As of August, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 207,000, following its most recent merging with Higashi-Izumo
. Prior to this, it had a total household
number of 78,965, and a population density of 361.84 persons per km².
2011 marks the great milestone that is the city's 60th year as an International City of Culture. Located at the heart of the ancient Izumo Province
, Matsue is said to be "The Birthplace of Japan".
Matsue sits between Lake Shinji
and Nakaumi
, along the banks of the Ohashi river connecting the two. The overall population of the Lake Shinji-Nakaumi area is approx 600,000, marking Matsue as the second major city on the sea of Japan coast after Niigata
. Due to the prominence of the lakes, the river and canals in the city-scape and scenery it is sometimes called the "water city"(水の都). Nearby Izumo Taisha
is recognized as one of the oldest Shinto shrine
s in Japan and is ranked second in importance only to Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
Matsue was first ruled by the Horio family. Horio Yoshiharu's son Tadauji died before his father, thus the province was inherited by his grandson Tadaharu. However, Tadaharu died childless so the province was passed on to the Kyogoku. The Kyogoku were daimyo from Omi and Wakasa. Kyogoku Takatsugu served Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. Takatsugu's son Tadataka married the 4th daughter of Hidetada, Hatsu. He served in the Battle of Osaka and reportedly took 300 heads. In 1634 he received the province of Izumo, suceeding the childless Horio Tadaharu. During his rule he was instrumental in engineering projects that helped control the flow of the Hiikawa river.
In 1637 Tadataka also died childless and the domain passed to the Matsudaira. Naomasa was the third son of Hideyasu. Hideyasu, daimyo of Echizen, himself was the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, making Naomasa the grandson of the first Tokugawa Shogun Ieyasu. Naomasa made a name for himself fighting in the Battle of Osaka at the age of 14. He was daimyo of Ono in Echizen and later Matsumoto in Shinano before becoming the ruler of Izumo 1638. Unlike the previous rulers Naomasa had children and his heirs managed to keep Izumo for ten generations until the end of the Edo Bakufu.
Overall, ten Matsudaira Daimyo ruled from Matsue. The most famous after the first (Matsudaira Naomasa) was the seventh, Harusato.
He revolutionized the administrative system of the Matsue clan which was in financial difficulties and put it back on its feet. He invested in Mulberry bushes and promoted special foods like clams that were a delicacy in Matsue. Harusato was a great enthusiast of Tea Ceremony. His Tea Ceremony name was Fumai. He founded his own school, Unshyu. He has left the Meimei-An a famous tea house still operating in Matsue. Because his influence on wagashi, Japanese sweets for Tea Ceremony from Matsue are famous, especially one called 'wakakusa'.
The city boasts Matsue Castle
, the "black castle" or "plover castle". It is one of the 12 remaining original castles in Japan. It is the second largest, the third tallest and the sixth oldest. The castle grounds include a winding path through mixed forests of bamboo, shrubs and trees, many of which are very old and identified by species. Surrounding the grounds and the castle park is the old moat, "horikawa".
Author Lafcadio Hearn
taught in Matsue from 1890-1891. His house is now a museum about his life, and a popular tourist attraction in Matsue. Throughout the city there are monuments and landmarks honouring Hearn.
Sada Shrine in Matsue is the home to Sada Shin Noh, a sacred dance comprising a series of purification rituals related to the changging of the rush mats within the shrine. The mats are held by dancers who then offer them to deities to sit upon. Diverse dance forms are performed on a stage in the shrine accompanied by singing, flute and drums. The performance art is transmitted from generation to generation by the community. In November 2011, Sada Shin Noh was recognised on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Traditional festivals are still pursued, for example, the Matsue Dou-parade (どう行列).
This is currently held annually on the third Sunday of October. It was originally a New Year's festival but has changed purpose down over the years.
1990(commenced)/1994(official agreement) Jilin City
, China 1995(commenced)/1999(official agreement) Chinju City
, Korea 1999(official agreement) Hangzhou City, China 1994(commenced)/2003(official agreement) Yinchuan City, China 1994(commenced)/2004(official agreement) Onomichi City
, Hiroshima Prefecture 1994(official agreement)
Cities of Japan
||A is a local administrative unit in Japan. Cities are ranked on the same level as and , with the difference that they are not a component of...
of Shimane Prefecture
Shimane Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is Matsue. It is the second least populous prefecture in Japan, after its eastern neighbor Tottori. The prefecture has an area elongated from east to west facing the Chūgoku Mountain Range on the south side and to...
in the Chūgoku region of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
As of August, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 207,000, following its most recent merging with Higashi-Izumo
Higashiizumo, Shimane
was a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 13,817 and a density of 324.04 persons per km². The total area was 42.64 km²....
. Prior to this, it had a total household
Household
The household is "the basic residential unit in which economic production, consumption, inheritance, child rearing, and shelter are organized and carried out"; [the household] "may or may not be synonymous with family"....
number of 78,965, and a population density of 361.84 persons per km².
2011 marks the great milestone that is the city's 60th year as an International City of Culture. Located at the heart of the ancient Izumo Province
Izumo Province
was an old province of Japan which today consists of the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture. It was sometimes called . The province is in the Chūgoku Region.- History :It was one of the regions of ancient Japan where major political powers arose...
, Matsue is said to be "The Birthplace of Japan".
Matsue sits between Lake Shinji
Lake Shinji
is a lake in the northeast area of the Shimane Prefecture in Japan. The lake is the seventh largest in Japan, with a circumference of 48 km. It is enclosed by the Shimane peninsula to the north, and the Izumo and Matsue plains to the west and east respectively...
and Nakaumi
Nakaumi
is a brackish lake located between Tottori and Shimane prefectures in Japan. The lake is enclosed by the Shimane Peninsula to the north and Yumigahama Peninsula to the east...
, along the banks of the Ohashi river connecting the two. The overall population of the Lake Shinji-Nakaumi area is approx 600,000, marking Matsue as the second major city on the sea of Japan coast after Niigata
Niigata
is a name of a place of Japan and the Chubu region.Niigata may refer to:* Niigata - a city in Japan and the capital of Niigata Prefecture* Niigata Prefecture - prefecture in Japan* Albirex Niigata - the city's professional football club...
. Due to the prominence of the lakes, the river and canals in the city-scape and scenery it is sometimes called the "water city"(水の都). Nearby Izumo Taisha
Izumo Taisha
is one of the most ancient and important Shinto shrines in Japan. No record gives the date of establishment. Located in Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, it is home to two major festivals. It is dedicated to the god Ōkuninushi , famous as the Shinto deity of marriage.A style of architecture,...
is recognized as one of the oldest Shinto shrine
Jinja (Shinto)
A Shinto shrine is a structure whose main purpose is to house one or more Shinto kami....
s in Japan and is ranked second in importance only to Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
History
- The castle town of Matsue as we know it today, was originally established by Horio YoshiharuHorio YoshiharuHorio Yoshiharu was a daimyo in Azuchi-Momoyama period and Edo period.He was appointed to one of three chu-rō by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and the first leader of the Matsue clan.He was also known as Horio Mosuke ....
, lord of the Matsue clan, when he built Matsue castle and planned the surrounding Castle town over a five year period from 1607 to 1611. Matsue continued to be the seat of power in the Sanin Region for many years.
- Feudal Lords/DaimyoDaimyois a generic term referring to the powerful territorial lords in pre-modern Japan who ruled most of the country from their vast, hereditary land holdings...
Matsue was first ruled by the Horio family. Horio Yoshiharu's son Tadauji died before his father, thus the province was inherited by his grandson Tadaharu. However, Tadaharu died childless so the province was passed on to the Kyogoku. The Kyogoku were daimyo from Omi and Wakasa. Kyogoku Takatsugu served Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. Takatsugu's son Tadataka married the 4th daughter of Hidetada, Hatsu. He served in the Battle of Osaka and reportedly took 300 heads. In 1634 he received the province of Izumo, suceeding the childless Horio Tadaharu. During his rule he was instrumental in engineering projects that helped control the flow of the Hiikawa river.
In 1637 Tadataka also died childless and the domain passed to the Matsudaira. Naomasa was the third son of Hideyasu. Hideyasu, daimyo of Echizen, himself was the second son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, making Naomasa the grandson of the first Tokugawa Shogun Ieyasu. Naomasa made a name for himself fighting in the Battle of Osaka at the age of 14. He was daimyo of Ono in Echizen and later Matsumoto in Shinano before becoming the ruler of Izumo 1638. Unlike the previous rulers Naomasa had children and his heirs managed to keep Izumo for ten generations until the end of the Edo Bakufu.
Overall, ten Matsudaira Daimyo ruled from Matsue. The most famous after the first (Matsudaira Naomasa) was the seventh, Harusato.
He revolutionized the administrative system of the Matsue clan which was in financial difficulties and put it back on its feet. He invested in Mulberry bushes and promoted special foods like clams that were a delicacy in Matsue. Harusato was a great enthusiast of Tea Ceremony. His Tea Ceremony name was Fumai. He founded his own school, Unshyu. He has left the Meimei-An a famous tea house still operating in Matsue. Because his influence on wagashi, Japanese sweets for Tea Ceremony from Matsue are famous, especially one called 'wakakusa'.
The city boasts Matsue Castle
Matsue Castle
is a feudal castle in Matsue in Shimane prefecture, Japan. Nicknamed the "black castle" or "plover castle", it is one of the few remaining medieval castles in Japan – at least of the few remaining in their original wooden form, and not a modern reconstruction in concrete.The construction of...
, the "black castle" or "plover castle". It is one of the 12 remaining original castles in Japan. It is the second largest, the third tallest and the sixth oldest. The castle grounds include a winding path through mixed forests of bamboo, shrubs and trees, many of which are very old and identified by species. Surrounding the grounds and the castle park is the old moat, "horikawa".
Author Lafcadio Hearn
Lafcadio Hearn
Patrick Lafcadio Hearn , known also by the Japanese name , was an international writer, known best for his books about Japan, especially his collections of Japanese legends and ghost stories, such as Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things...
taught in Matsue from 1890-1891. His house is now a museum about his life, and a popular tourist attraction in Matsue. Throughout the city there are monuments and landmarks honouring Hearn.
Sada Shrine in Matsue is the home to Sada Shin Noh, a sacred dance comprising a series of purification rituals related to the changging of the rush mats within the shrine. The mats are held by dancers who then offer them to deities to sit upon. Diverse dance forms are performed on a stage in the shrine accompanied by singing, flute and drums. The performance art is transmitted from generation to generation by the community. In November 2011, Sada Shin Noh was recognised on the UNESCO List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Culture
Tea Ceremony- Matsue is noted as one of the top three locations in Japan for its Tea Ceremony and Wagashi, a.k.a. Japanese confectionary; notably developed and preserved by the 7th Matsudaira feudal lord, Matsudaira Harusato, or more commonly known by his nickname Matsudaira Fumaiko.Traditional festivals are still pursued, for example, the Matsue Dou-parade (どう行列).
This is currently held annually on the third Sunday of October. It was originally a New Year's festival but has changed purpose down over the years.
Universities in Matsue
- Shimane University http://www.shimane-u.ac.jp/
- Shimane Prefectural Women's College (junior college) http://www.swc.ac.jp/
Municipal timeline
- April 1, 1889: the former city of Matsue was founded.
- March 31, 2005: the former city of Matsue merged with the towns of KashimaKashima, Shimanewas a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.On March 31, 2005 Kashima, along with the towns of Mihonoseki, Shimane, Shinji, Tamayu and Yatsuka, and the village of Yakumo, all from Yatsuka District, was merged into the expanded city of Matsue....
, MihonosekiMihonoseki, Shimanewas a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.On March 31, 2005 Mihonoseki, along with the towns of Kashima, Shimane, Shinji, Tamayu and Yatsuka, and the village of Yakumo, all from Yatsuka District, was merged into the expanded city of Matsue....
, ShimaneShimane, Shimanewas a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.On March 31, 2005 Shimane, along with the towns of Kashima, Mihonoseki, Shinji, Tamayu and Yatsuka, and the village of Yakumo, all from Yatsuka District, was merged into the expanded city of Matsue....
, ShinjiShinji, Shimanewas a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.On March 31, 2005 Shinji, along with the towns of Kashima, Mihonoseki, Shimane, Tamayu and Yatsuka, and the village of Yakumo, all from Yatsuka District, was merged into the expanded city of Matsue....
, TamayuTamayu, Shimanewas a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.On March 31, 2005 Tamayu, along with the towns of Kashima, Mihonoseki, Shimane, Shinji and Yatsuka, and the village of Yakumo, all from Yatsuka District, was merged into the expanded city of Matsue....
and YatsukaYatsuka, Shimanewas a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.On March 31, 2005 Yatsuka, along with the towns of Kashima, Mihonoseki, Shimane, Shinji and Tamayu, and the village of Yakumo, all from Yatsuka District, was merged into the expanded city of Matsue....
, and the village of YakumoYakumo, Shimanewas a village located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.On March 31, 2005 Yakumo, along with the towns of Kashima, Mihonoseki, Shimane, Shinji, Tamayu and Yatsuka, all from Yatsuka District, was merged into the expanded city of Matsue....
, all from Yatsuka DistrictYatsuka District, Shimanewas a district located in Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 59,733 and a density of 169.95 persons per km². The total area was 351.47 km².-Towns and villages:*Higashiizumo*Kashima*Mihonoseki*Shimane*Shinji*Tamayu...
, to form the new city of Matsue. - August 1, 2011: the town of HigashiizumoHigashiizumo, Shimanewas a town located in Yatsuka District, Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 13,817 and a density of 324.04 persons per km². The total area was 42.64 km²....
, also from Yatsuka DistrictYatsuka District, Shimanewas a district located in Shimane, Japan.As of 2003, the district had an estimated population of 59,733 and a density of 169.95 persons per km². The total area was 351.47 km².-Towns and villages:*Higashiizumo*Kashima*Mihonoseki*Shimane*Shinji*Tamayu...
, merged into the city of Matsue.
Friendship cities
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1990(commenced)/1994(official agreement) Jilin City
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, China 1995(commenced)/1999(official agreement) Chinju City
Jinju
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, Korea 1999(official agreement) Hangzhou City, China 1994(commenced)/2003(official agreement) Yinchuan City, China 1994(commenced)/2004(official agreement) Onomichi City
Onomichi, Hiroshima
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, Hiroshima Prefecture 1994(official agreement)
Sister Cities
Takarazuka City, Hyogo Prefecture Suzu City, Ishikawa PrefectureExternal links
- Matsue official website in Japanese
- Official tourism page in English
- Matsue WikiTravel Page in English
- Matsue at Japan Guide in English