Matsue, Shimane
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Matsue 松江市 |
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| Special city | ||
From top left: Kumano Taisha, Yaegaki Shrine, Miho Shrine, Matsue Castle, Lake Shinji (Yomegashima), Tamatsukuri hot springs, Mihonoseki Lighthouse, Night view of Matsue
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 Location of Matsue in Shimane Prefecture |
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 Matsue
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| Coordinates: 35°28′N 133°3′E / 35.467°N 133.050°ECoordinates: 35°28′N 133°3′E / 35.467°N 133.050°E | ||
| Country | Japan | |
| Region | Chūgoku (San'in) | |
| Prefecture | Shimane Prefecture | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | Masataka Matsuura (since June 2000) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 530.21 km2 (204.72 sq mi) | |
| Population (April 30, 2011) | ||
| • Total | 191,852 | |
| • Density | 361.84/km2 (937.2/sq mi) | |
| Symbols | ||
| • Tree | Pinus, Cherry blossom | |
| • Flower | Camellia, Peony | |
| Time zone | Japan Standard Time (UTC+9) | |
| City hall address | 86 Suetsugu, Matsue-shi, Shimane-ken 690-8540 |
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| Website | www |
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Matsue (松江市 Matsue-shi?) is the capital city of Shimane Prefecture located in Chūgoku region of the main island of Honshu. As of August, 2011, the city has an estimated population of 207,000, following its most recent merging with the town of Higashiizumo (from Yatsuka District).
Matsue sits between Lake Shinji and Nakaumi, along the banks of the Ohashi river connecting the two. The overall population of the Lake Shinji-Nakaumi area is approx 600,000, marking Matsue as the second major city on the sea of Japan coast after Niigata. Due to the prominence of the lakes, the river and canals in the city-scape and scenery it is sometimes called the "water city" (水の都?). Nearby Izumo Taisha is recognized as one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan and is ranked second in importance only to Ise Grand Shrine in Mie Prefecture.
The present-day castle town of Matsue was originally established by Horio Yoshiharu, lord of the Matsue clan, when he built Matsue castle and planned the surrounding Castle town over a five-year period from 1607 to 1611. Matsue continued to be the seat of power in the Sanin Region for many years.
Matsue was first ruled by the Horio family. Horio Yoshiharu's son Tadauji died before his father, thus the province was inherited by his grandson Tadaharu. However, Tadaharu died childless so the province was passed on to the Kyogoku. The Kyogoku were daimyo from Omi and Wakasa. Kyogoku Takatsugu served Nobunaga and Hideyoshi. Takatsugu's son Tadataka married the 4th daughter of Hidetada, Hatsu. He served in the Battle of Osaka and reportedly took 300 heads. In 1634, he received the province of Izumo, succeeding the childless Horio Tadaharu. During his rule he was instrumental in engineering projects that helped control the flow of the Hiikawa river.
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Wikipedia