Kawara Prefecture

**Kawara Prefecture** [鳥桥近; かわら·こん] is a prefecture located on the north-facing coast of Kanton, in the Zōku region. It is characterised by its jagged, cliff-lined coast, seafaring culture, rich history of folklore and spirituality, and the multitude of ancient shrines scattered across its area. It is bordered by a number of prefectures including Heisai to the west and Mikei to the east. As of 2020, Kawara had a total population of around 1.29 million.

The capital of Kawara, and its largest city by geographical area, is Genzaki, with other major cities including Tsukinasa, Kendo, and Ayachi.

## History

Kawara has been inhabited for many thousands of years, and evidence of ancient agricultural and fishing communities has been discovered, with notable artifacts including arrowheads, fishing bait, pottery, tools and jewellery. Burial pits have been found around the hilly southern regions, and are thought to have been used as entombments for venerated figures. Historians believe that Kawara first began to farm rice and other grains in the middle Nō period.

Feudal Kawara was divided into three separate provinces known as Kakai, Wakabi and Iyami. The island of Katomo formed a fourth province, Anaba, which was only sparsely inhabited until the 1800s. Through the centuries, these provinces were ruled by the spiritually-inclined and relatively peaceful Yu clan, who were responsible for the construction of the hundreds of shrines and temples located across modern-day Kawara. However, their reign came to an abrupt end in 1781, when their last chief, Yu no Shinji, died of sudden sickness. As there was no suitable heir, fighting broke out amongst family members, and rivalries eventually became so destructive that the Emperor declared the Yu no longer fit for rule and stripped every man of his title and land. Then he installed an Imperial Commander, Yabura Ōmoe, as the de facto *manza* of the provinces. The Yabura line continued to rule Kawara until the dismantlement of the *manza* system in the late 1800s.

From the 19th century onwards Kawara became a more industrially-focused prefecture, its economy mainly dependent on commercial fishing and the production of staple crops. The processing and refining of stone and minerals was, and continues to be, a large part of Kawara's economy, and in modern times the production and assembly of vehicles and technology is also notable.

## Geography

Kawara's area is roughly split into a horizontal hourglass shape, with two larger west and east areas joined by a small 'belt' of land where Kuyama Prefecture encroaches.

Kawara's northern coastline is bordered by steep, jagged cliffs and stony beaches. Many small inlets and crevices along the coast became areas for fishermen to set out their boats, and settlements gradually grew around them. Inland, Kawara is a very flat and grassy region, with few peaks or hills except for further south, where the Kawara Hills form part of the boundary with Mikei Prefecture.

Kawara is also characterised by the Takura River, which is by far the largest waterway in the prefecture. It flows south to north and meets the sea on Kawara's north-western coast. Its many tributaries in the prefecture's western region have made it possible for rice farming to flourish, and the land surrounding the river is generally fertile and flat.

### Lakes and rivers

* Takura River
* Takurako River
* Nozoki River
* Shiyami River
* Ashi River
* Betsuma River
* Kiyachi River
* Kyūka River
* Seppa River
* Ichike River
* Nike River
* Kayo River
* Lake Furuma
* Lake Hagisu

### Mountains

* Mount Hiki
* Mount Takurasada

#### Mizō Hills

* Mount Mizō
* Mount Iwaba
* Mount Doku

#### Kawara Hills

* Mount Ki
* Mount Furuma
* Mount Tsuri

#### Iwara Hills

* Mount Katsuhara
* Mount Samuhara

## Culture

Kawara Prefecture is known for its long association with folklore and spirituality; in particular, it is famous for its abundance of ancient shrines which were built by the Yu clan and scattered throughout the region. A local harvest spirit, known in the Kawara dialect as *chi no ibi* and in standard Kantonese as *iwa no kami,* has been worshipped exclusively within Kawara for centuries and is considered an important folk god. Many shrines and temples across the prefecture are dedicated to this figure.

Kawara is also known for its many festivals and rituals which are held in cities across the region every year. During August alone over 30 different harvest festivals, each drawing thousands of attendees, can take place. The annual Genzaki Folk Festival, held at the Genzaki Grand Temple, is the most largely-attended with over 60,000 visitors each year. In the coastal areas of the prefecture, local communities once engaged frequently in worship of the sea, conducting ceremonies which often involved ritualistic drowning and the sacrifice of valuable goods. Although no longer practiced, these communities are still quite superstitious, holding traditions in high value.