Hasami (波佐見町, Hasami-chō) is a town located in Higashisonogi District, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 31 May 2024[update], the town had an estimated population of 14,124 in 5499 households, and a population density of 200 people per km2.[1] The total area of the town is 56.00 km2 (21.62 sq mi). It is known, along with neighboring Arita, Saga Prefecture for its ceramics manufacturing.
Hasami
波佐見町 | |
|---|---|
 Hasami Pottery Village panorama | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Hasami in Nagasaki Prefecture | |
 | |
  Hasami Location in Japan | |
| Coordinates: 33°8′17″N 129°53′44″E / 33.13806°N 129.89556°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Kyushu |
| Prefecture | Nagasaki |
| District | Higashisonogi |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Masata Ichinose |
| Area | |
• Total | 56.00 km2 (21.62 sq mi) |
| Population (March 31, 2024) | |
• Total | 14,124 |
| • Density | 250/km2 (650/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
| City hall address | 66 Shukugo, Hasami-cho, Higashisonogi-gun, Nagasaki-ken 859-3791 |
| Website | Official website |
| Symbols | |
| Flower | Azalea |
| Tree | Ilex integra |
Geography
editHasami is located within the central part of Nagasaki prefecture, which is about 20 kilometers from central Sasebo. The town stretches 10.5 km east-to-west, 7.0 km north-to-south. The eastern and northern parts of the town form the prefectural border with Saga prefecture. As it is a basin surrounded by mountains, it is relatively hot in the summer and cold in the winter. It is the only landlocked town in the prefecture.
Surrounding municipalities
editNagasaki Prefecture
Climate
editHasami has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Hasami is 16.0 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1864 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.6 °C, and lowest in January, at around 6.0 °C.[2]
Demographics
editPer Japanese census data, the population of Hasami is as shown below:
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 13,669 | — |
| 1950 | 16,000 | +17.1% |
| 1960 | 15,254 | −4.7% |
| 1970 | 14,673 | −3.8% |
| 1980 | 15,498 | +5.6% |
| 1990 | 15,728 | +1.5% |
| 2000 | 15,462 | −1.7% |
| 2010 | 15,227 | −1.5% |
| 2020 | 14,291 | −6.1% |
History
editThe area of Hasami was part of ancient Hizen Province. During the Edo Period, the area was under the control of Ōmura Domain. After the Meiji restoration, the villages of Kamihasami and Shimohasami were established with the creation of the modern municipalities system on April 1, 1889. Kamihasami was raised to town status on November 3, 1934. Kamihasami and Shimohasami merged on June 1, 1956 to form the town of Hasami.
Government
editHasami has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral town council of 14 members. Hasami, collectively with the town of Kawatana, contributes one member to the Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of the Nagasaki 3rd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.
Economy
editHasami is best known for Hasami ware, a type of Japanese porcelain dating back 400 years. The techniques were brought to the Hasami area by Korean ceramicist Yi Sam-pyeong, also the creator of Arita ware from nearby Arita. Hasami ware is distinct from Arita ware, but is often confused as pieces were shipped out of Arita or the neighboring port of Imari.[3] Seventeen kilns and pottery houses are active in the village, with an additional five kilns around the neighboring Mt. Nakao.[4] The town hosts both the Hasami Spring Festival, and the Autumn Ceramics Festival in October.[5]
Education
editHasami has three public elementary schools and one public junior high school by the town government, and one public high school operated by the Nagasaki Prefectural Board of Education.
Transportation
editRailways
editHasami does not have any passenger rail service. The closest stations are Arita Station in the city of Arita, Saga and Kawatana Station in the town of Kawatana, Nagasaki.
Highways
edit
Nishi-Kyushu Expressway (Hasami-Arita IC)
Sister cities
editHasami has one sister city and one friendship city relationship:[6]
Friendship cities
edit
Gangjin County, South Korea (since 20 October 2010)
Local attractions
edit- Hizen Hasami Pottery Kiln Sites, National Historic Site
Notable people from Hasami
edit- Hiroaki Iwanaga, actor
References
edit- ^ "Hasami Town official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
- ^ Hasami climate: Average Temperature, weather by month
- ^ "Hasami Porcelain - Nagasaki". JapanTravel. 10 December 2015. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ "Nakaoyama Pottery Village". Japan Travel Planner. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Hasami Spring Pottery Festival". 【公式】長崎観光/旅行ポータルサイト ながさき旅ネット. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
- ^ 県内姉妹・友好都市一覧. Official Nagasaki prefectural website (in Japanese). May 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
External links
edit
Media related to Hasami, Nagasaki at Wikimedia Commons- Hasami official website (in Japanese)
 | This Nagasaki Prefecture location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |