Ishikawa Prefecture

is located in the Chubu region on Honshu island, Japan. The capital is Kanazawa.

History

Ishikawa was formed from the merger of Kaga Province and the smaller Noto Province.

Geography

Ishikawa is on the Sea of Japan coast. The northern part of the prefecture consists of the narrow Noto Peninsula, while the southern part is wider and consists mostly of mountains, with the prefecture's chief city, Kanazawa, located in the coastal plain.

Cities

10 cities are located on Ishikawa Prefecture.

Towns and villages

These are the towns and villages in each district.

Mergers

On March 1, 2004 the towns of Takamatsu, Nanatsuka, and Unoke from Kahoku District merged to form the city of Kahoku.

On October 1, 2004 the towns of Nakajima, Notojima and Tatsuruhama merged with the former city of Nanao to create the city of Nanao.

On February 1, 2005 the following towns and villages from Ishikawa merged with the city of Matto forming the city of Hakusan: Kawachi, Mikawa, Oguchi, Shiramine, Torigoe, Tsurugi, and Yoshinodani.

On February 1, 2005 the towns of Neagari, Tatsunokuchi, and Terai from Nomi District merged forming the city of Nomi.

On March 1, 2005 the town of Noto and village of Yanagida from the former Fugeshi District merged with the town of Uchiura from the former Suzu District, Ishikawa forming a new town of Noto and the districts merged forming Hosu District.

On March 1, 2005 the towns of Oshimizu and Shio from Hakui District merged forming the town of Hodatsushimizu.

On March 1, 2005 the towns of Kashima, Toriya, and Rokusei from Kashima District merged, forming the town of Nakanoto.

On September 1, 2005 the towns of Togi and Shika from Hakui District merged to create the new town of Shika.

On October 1, 2005 the town of Yamanaka from Enuma District and the former city of Kaga merged, forming the new city of Kaga. Enuma District was dissolved as a result of this merger.

On February 1, 2006 the town of Monzen from Hosu District and the former city of Wajima merged, forming the new city of Wajima.

Economy

Ishikawa's industry is dominated by the textile industry, particularly artificial fabrics, and the machine industry, particularly construction machinery.

Demographics

Culture

Traditional Arts & Crafts

Nō - was introduced to the area during the rule of the fifth Maeda lord Tsuanori and was refined into the Kaga hosho style.
Tea ceremony - was brought to Kanazawa by Maeda Toshitsune in 1666 by inviting Senbiki Soshitsu to Kanazawa.
Kutani porcelain (Kutani yaki) - Bright colored glazes not unlike Chinese porcelaine
Ohi teaware (Ohi yaki) - A pottery style unique to Kanazawa.
Kaga silk (Kaga yuzen) - A complicated silk print technique with an intentional rough look (wabi-sabi).
Kanazawa lacquerware (Kanazawa shikki) - High quality lacquerware traditionally decorated with gold dust.
Kanazawa gold leaf (Kanazawa haku) - A technique of beating gold into waferthin sheets.
Kaga mizuhiki - Ribbon-like decorations made from glued Japanese paper (washi).
Kaga inlay crafts (Kaga zogan) - A combination of thin flat and thread metal inlays.

Tourism

The most popular destination in Ishikawa is Kanazawa. Tourists can get to Ishikawa by plane via Komatsu.

Prefectural symbols

Miscellaneous topics

Hideki Matsui, a current player for the New York Yankees, was born and raised in Neagari Town(now Nomi City), Ishikawa.

External links

Official Ishikawa Prefecture homepage

Ishikawa Prefecture | Chubu region | Prefectures of Japan

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