Aoma Prefecture

**Aoma Prefecture** [碧岩近; あおま·こん] is a coastal prefecture located in the Honzura region. It is one of the most significant farming prefectures in the country, and is known for its annual heavy snowfall and winter festivals, which often attract thousands of tourists. As of 2020, it had a population of around 1 million.

A sizeable portion of Aoma's residents live outside of its cities in small towns. There is a distinct lack of urbanisation in Aoma Prefecture, with many of its younger inhabitants choosing to stay in rural areas rather than look for work in urban areas. Aoma Prefecture is the second-least populous prefecture in the northern region, coming before Tsuba Prefecture. Mount Gango, a dormant volcano, is the prefecture's highest point at almost 1,000 metres.

## History

The oldest evidence of pottery in northern Kanton was found on Aoma's northern coastline near to the town of Onzu. The relics there suggest that fishing cultures had developed along the shores of the prefecture around 7,000 years ago.

During the Heii period, the area that would become Aoma Prefecture was impacted by the migration of some Summui people from the Honnan islands, known now as Zōhai Prefecture. It is thought that Aoma was at one point inhabited by a large number, perhaps thousands, of Summui explorers who had decided to settle on the mainland. Throughout the 7th century these Summui were discouraged heavily by Imperial forces and treated with hostility; although it isn't known how much they mingled with the local clans, we can assume there was a cross of bloodlines as Summui blood is present in some modern-day Aomans.

By the 10th century, the Summui who settled in Aoma had assimilated into the wider population. In 1013, Amewara Port was established, along with the city of Aoma. At this time, the Ōzen and Usai clans had been the rulers of the region. The Aoma War, lasting from 1351-1362, was waged between the two clans as both chiefs fought to gain the title of *konbūshin* for the prefecture. In 1162, the Ōzen chief Usai defeated the Usai at the Battle of Umizu outside Yadoku, and was finally appointed as commander of Aoma. However in 1651 the warlord Amehaya no Kamayu was assigned by the Monda administration to oversee Aoma after the prefecture suffered from storms, blight, and widespread illness and the Ōzen clan was left in shambles.

## Geography

Aoma Prefecture has a number of notable geographical features, including its hill ranges and its rivers and lakes.

### Lakes and rivers

* Kandatsu River
* Kanato River
* Aomaki River
* Ashi River
* Shiashi River
* Lake Yamami
* Lake Hei
* Lake Yūsu
* Lake Yuki
* Lake Dai
* Lake Genzu
* Lake Ashi

### Mountains

The Aomaki Hills, located south of the capital city of Aoma, are a range of hills which run through and overlap a total of five settlements. The largest peak is Mount Gango. In the north of the prefecture, the further-reaching but less steep Migai Hills formation runs northwards towards Fugan Peninsula. The most prominent mountains in the prefecture include:

* Mount Ōgata [1,300m]
* Mount Gango [1,000m]
* Mount Ido [993m]
* Mount Aki [980m]
* Mount Kanamae [974m]
* Mount Umechi [972m]
* Mount Wahara [946m]
* Mount Bayuki [720m]
* Mount Gai [698m]

Other mountains located within the prefecture include:

* Mount Seizai
* Mount Bõ
* Mount Kyū
* Mount Umeki
* Mount Shikata
* Mount Hinako
* Mount Yūdo

## Economy

Aomori Prefecture is a leading agricultural region in Kanton. It is the nation's largest producer of apples; he cultivation of this fruit in the prefecture began in 1875 when the prefecture was given three varieties of Western origin to grow. The apples are consumed within Kanton and also exported to the United States, China, Taiwan, and Thailand. Aoma is also ranked highly in the nation's production of redcurrant, burdock, and garlic.

Aoma also boasts being the home to Aomaki cattle, a rare, region-specific breed of Kantonese Shorthorn. The city of Kojū has a long history as a breeding center for horses of exceptional quality, popular among the *sai*. Even with the decline of the *sai* class, Kojū's horses continued to be bred for their meat. The lean horse meat is coveted as a delicacy, especially when served in its raw form, known as *tamatsuku*. The Aoma Bay region is a large source of scallops, but they are particularly a specialty of the town Onzu, where the calm water around Fugan Peninsula makes a good home for them.

## Culture

### Crafts

Aoma Prefecture is the birthplace of the *napa*, a long flute instrument made of bamboo stem. The *napa* has a reedy yet rich sound which can carry long distances; it was originally used during battles to send messages between soldiers. A notable player of the *napa* is Jian Sadama, a wandering performer and musician born in 1910 who went on to popularise the instrument nationally.

Aoma Prefecture is also where the decorative embroidery style *taifuki* originated in the 1400s. It began as a utilitarian technique with which to make linen clothing more robust and warm during harsh winters. The peasant women of the area, who made their families' clothes, were forced to improvise since cotton was unavailable to the lower class. Wooden wolf figures called *toruwachi* have been made in the north of the prefecture for over 600 years.

### Cuisine

The Aoma area is home of several well-known dishes: sweetened porridge made with oats and red bean paste, called *akasoka*; a mixed stew made with root vegetables, wild plants, herbs, and fish called *norinori*; an abalone and sea urchin roe soup called *arusaka*, and *aonachi*, a soup made with a mix of wild plants and vegetables from the local area. Other traditional foods include *idoki*, savoury oatmeal biscuits; braised scallops and scrambled eggs which is called *shosshi*, and a local variation of rice gruel which features black garlic. In fact, Aoma Prefecture is the largest producer of aged black garlic, known as *kuzuningo*, in Kanton.

### Festivals

There are a variety of festivals held annually in Aoma offering a unique look into the culture of north coastal Kanton. The prefecture hosts a popular *eimachi*, or winter festival, called Zōkanzai Winterfest, which has grown more and more extravagant with each year. It is extremely popular and can attract thousands of visitors; attendees can view ice sculptures and enjoy local cuisine inside igloos. During May *hinamachi* are held across the prefecture, with the most well-attended being held in Shiema. Summer and autumn see many distinct festivals with bright lights, floats, dancing and music.

### Arts and literature

Aoma Prefecture has produced several well-known writers and artists. Kintai Shinyaka, the author of Kanton's second-most popular novel of all time *Farewell Skylark,* is one of Aoma's best-known and most acclaimed writers. Shōgo Nobura, a well-loved music composer and *napa* player of the late 1800s, was born in the city of Usamae. Ami Monyama, the acclaimed 20th-century poet and writer, was born in Kojū. The creater of the famous folkloric fantasy book series *Anti*, Daihei Nakayama, hails from the village of Shunjū on the west coast. Additionally, famed watercolour painter Shinochi Hanabe was born in Aoma City; much of his art was inspired by the prefecture's scenic beauty and rural culture.

## Education

### Universities

Aoma Prefecture's largest university, which is also the most prestigious, is Kandatsu University which was formed by the combination of several colleges and higher education schools in 1940. There are two public universities: Aoma Public University and Aoma University of Health and Welfare. Private universities include:

* Yōshō University
* Aoma City University
* Yōshō Institute of Technology
* Honzura University - Aoma campus
* Kojū University