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Echizen (越前市, Echizen-shi) is a city located in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 July 2018[update], the city had an estimated population of 83,078 in 20.341 households and the population density of 360 persons per km².[1] The total area of the city was 230.70 square kilometres (89.07 sq mi). The modern city of Echizen was established on October 1, 2005, from the merger of the city of Takefu and the town of Imadate (from Imadate District); although the Echizen Basin has been an important regional center for over 1,500 years. The city is home to the largest number of cultural assets in Fukui Prefecture and has many former castle sites and prehistoric archeological sites.
Geography
Echizen is located in central Fukui Prefecture, bordered by mountains on three sides.
Echizen has a Humid climate (Köppen Cfa) influenced by its proximity to the Sea of Japan, and is characterized by warm, wet summers and cold winters with heavy snowfall. The average annual temperature in Echizen is 13.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 2325 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 25.2 °C, and lowest in January, at around 2.1 °C.[2]
Demographics
Per Japanese census data,[3] the population peaked around the year 2000 and has declined since.
At the start of Fukui Domain, Honda Tomimasa, highly trusted by Tokugawa Ieyasu, was appointed as Hideyasu's karō. Honda received a small piece of land and became governor of Echizen-Fuchū. Devastated by years of war, Echizen-Fuchū had lost its castles, roads, and buildings, and Honda is responsible for a major reconstruction of the area. He rebuilt the roads, walls, and buildings, as well as irrigation systems connected to the Hino river. Honda started the industries that still make up Echizen's base economy: blades, textiles, and industrial machinery. The Honda clan ruled the Echizen-Fuchū area for nine generations, until the Meiji Restoration. Their graves can be seen at the temple of Ryūsen-ji in Echizen.
Modern Echizen city
Boiled snow crab from Echizen
Following the Meiji Restoration, the area of present-day Echizen city was organised into Nanjō District within Fukui Prefecture. With the establishment of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889, the town of Takefu was created. It was named after an ancient Min'yō (folk song) called "Saibara", in the area of Echizen-Fuchū was known as "Takefu" during the Nara and Heian periods.
After the Meiji Restoration, the daimyō system was abolished and the former daimyō were merged into the new kazoku peerage. However, the Honda clan, being only a samurai retainer of the Matsudaira and not a daimyō, was moved into the shizoku class with lower ranking samurai. In 1870 the outraged Honda clan rebelled against the Meiji government against this perceived demotion. This riot is known as the Takefu Sōdō, which ended in 1879, and Honda Sukemoto was promoted danshaku in the kazoku system in 1884.
Take was raised to city status on April 1, 1948. On September 20, 1949, an incident known as the Takefu Jiken took place. At around 5 am the District Court and the District Public Prosecutor's Office caught fire. Within an hour, all of the court records and documents were destroyed. The fire was blamed on arson related to gang activity, and scenes from the movie Battles Without Honor and Humanity are said to be reminiscent of this incident. During the next 11 years, Takefu absorbed seven neighbouring villages and greatly increased in size and population.
On October 1, 2005, Takefu and the neighbouring town of Imadate were merged to create the city of Echizen City.
Government
Echizen has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city legislature of 22 members.
Economy
Echizen has several large electronics and apparel factories, but it is known for the large number of small businesses that flourish. The area is traditionally known for its production of Echizen washi paper, and for cutlery. Agricultural production is centered on rice, with watermelons also being a major crop.
Education
Echizen has 17 public elementary schools and seven middle schools operated by the city government, and four public high schools operated by the Fukui Prefectural Board of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school. The private Jin-ai University is located in Echizen.
Murasaki Shikibu Park (紫式部公園): Built in honor of Murasaki Shikibu, author of The Tale of Genji, who lived in Echizen for a year with her father, Tametoki Fukuwara, the governor of Echizen. The park was modeled after a nobleman's residence in the Heian period. A statue of Murasaki Shikibu stands in the park, gazing in the direction of Kyoto.
Rozan Park (廬山公園): Built on top of Murakuni mountain, this park overlooks the entire plain from Takefu to Fukui city. Mt. Hakusan can easily be seen from here on a clear day. This vantage point also provides a night view of Echizen, Sabae, and Fukui cities.
Castles and forts
Remains of Komaru Castle's main gate.
As an important military center for centuries, Echizen contains the sites of a number of former castles. Some remains, including former gates, sections of moats, and mounds, can be seen in the city. Archaeological digs have also uncovered roof tiles, tools, weapons, and other artifacts at these sites.
Kura-no-Tsuji (蔵の辻): Echizen's historic area in central Takefu is full of old warehouses with white painted walls. Outdoor concerts and festivals often take place in the open square in the center of this neighborhood.
Washi no Sato (和紙の里): This neighborhood is dedicated to the traditional craft of Japanese papermaking.
Japanese Paper Plaza (和紙の広場)
Papyrus Center (パピルス館): This building holds information and a workshop about the art of traditional Echizen paper.
Cultural Museum of Paper (紙の文化博物館)
Udatsu Craftsman's Studio (卯立の工芸館)
Yanagi Falls (柳の滝)
Minowaki no Tokimizu (蓑脇の時水): This waterfall was selected as one of Japan's 100 best scenic views.
Uno Tea Ceremony Museum
Festivals (matsuri) and events
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2010)
Echizen Kami (paper) Festival: This festival is held annually at the Echizen Washi no Sato (paper village) to celebrate the local washi and the papermaking deity, Kawakami Gozen.
Takefu Kikuningyo (chrysanthemum doll) Festival: This festival is held annually at Takefu Central Park.
Echizen Kani (crab) Festival
Echizen Togei (pottery) Festival: This festival is held annually in May at the Echizen Togei Mura (pottery village).
Kikuningyo Festival's chrysanthemum pagoda
Specialty products
Local foods
Buckwheat noodles soba and oroshisoba (with grated daikon)
^"並行在来線「ハピラインふくい」開業 記念グッズに目輝かせるファンも" [Parallel conventional line "Hapi-Line Fukui" opens as commemorative goods go on sale]. Fukui Keizai Shimbun. 16 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
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