Country Area 487.42 km2 | Region Mayor Toshiyuki Sakai Population 126,926 (2010) | |
Karatsu (, Karatsu-shi) is a city located in Saga Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. Its name, formed from the Japanese word roots ? kara (China, or continental East Asia in general), and ? tsu (port), signifies its historical importance as an ancient trading port between Japan with China and Korea. The central area of Karatsu, which does not include the former cities and villages of Higashimatsuura District, has a population of 78,386.
Contents
- Map of Karatsu Saga
- Karatsu kunchi karatsu sagaken kyushu
- Geography
- History
- Culture and tourism
- References
Map of Karatsu, Saga
As of March 1, 2010, the city has an estimated population of 127,766 and a population density of 262 persons per km². The total area is 487.42 km².
Karatsu kunchi karatsu sagaken kyushu
On January 1, 2005, the towns of Chinzei, Hamatama, Hizen, Kyuragi, Ochi and Yobuko. and the village of Kitahata (all from Higashimatsuura District) were merged into Karatsu.
On January 1, 2006, the village of Nanayama (from Higashimatsuura District) was merged into Karatsu.
Geography
Due to its proximity to mainland Asia, Karatsu has long been known as a stopover to Korea and China.
History
Under ritsuryo, the current city area was part of the Hizen Province. In 1591, on the coast of the northern part of the city (formerly the town of Chinzei), Nagoya Castle was constructed. The following year, it became the location from which the Imjin War was launched by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. In the middle of 1593, Terasawa Hirotaka created the Karatsu domain and began governing it. In 1602, replacing Nagoya Castle, Karatsu Castle was constructed in what is now the heart of Karatsu. The tower of Karatsu Castle was built in 1966 .
Culture and tourism
The graceful Karatsu Castle stands watch over this castle town.
Karatsu is famous for its Karatsu Kunchi festival, which runs annually from November 2 to November 4 and is visited by approximately 500,000 visitors from all over Japan. The festival consists of 14 hikiyama (floats made of many layers of paper mache) being carried around the citys narrow streets to calls of "Enya!". Some hikiyama members say "Yoisa!". Regularly during Karatsu Kunchi, people in this town open their homes to friends and strangers to eat and drink; the primary focus is enjoying food, beer, and shochu, and having lively conversation.
In between Karatsu Station (???) and the main bus centre (?????????) is a 170 metre arcade containing many small shops that specialize in Karatsu Kunchi omiyage, and the Korean-influenced local pottery which are called "Karatsu Yaki" since they refer to Japanese ceramic wares of Korean origin. The actual date of production of the Karatsu Yaki is believed to have begun being produced sometime "during the first half of the 16th century in the late Muromachi period."