Ishū

Ishū [昆濡 いしゅう] is a city located in eastern coastal Kōfu Prefecture. As of 2022, it had a population of around 48,000. Ishū is famous for the production of karu-daiji (桐台字), traditional dressers made from paulownia wood. The cultural and economic value of the paulownia is reflected in its abundance throughout the city; Ishū is often nicknamed karu no seki or 'city of paulownias'.
Ishū began as a fishing village on the east coast of Sadawa Province, and soon became the largest producer of shellfish and other marine products such as pearls and seaweed. It also had a reputation as a raucous port town due to its large harbour, Ishū Harbour, which was often used by merchants and seafarers, and occasionally pirates.
== Geography ==
Ishū is located on the eastern coast; only a small portion of its area is open to the coast, and this district, known as Ishū-haibun, is part of the wider Ishū Harbour area. The Awara River runs along the western boundary of the city, along with its tributary the Yuwa. The city area encompasses the small town of Unata which is located on the coast; there have been multiple talks over incorporating the town into Ishū, but it would seem this is unlikely to happen soon.
== Economy ==
Ishū relies on its fishing industry, along with its traditional wood-carving industry and cultivation of paulownia wood for lumber. 
== Local attractions ==
* Ishū Paulownia Arboretum (Ishū Karukoen)
* Ishū Temple
* Ishū Central Park