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Creation of Miyako Island
At the beginning of the world, the King of Heaven ordered Yagumi, a god, to create islands in the world.
So, after being left to do his work, Yagumi set out to follow the King's orders. On Earth, he looked and looked for a stone column for his plan and creation.
Finally, he found the stone that he was searching for and with his incredible strength, he threw it into the sea and called it the Miyako Islands.
The King was very satisfied with Yagumi's work, so he then called the god Kui Tsunu and the goddess Kui Tama to go down to the Miyako Islands to populate them.
Kui Tsunu and Kui Tama descended onto the Harimizu Shrine where they still reside to watch and protect the islands.
In fact, the island's name, "Miyako" first came into record in 1317 in Chinese manuscripts.
Head Tax Stone
| The Head Tax Stone stands at 4 ft. 7 in. |
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In 1609, the Satsuma clan of Kyushu invaded Okinawa and the people of Okinawa experienced a period of suffering under the new rule.
Any man and women aged 15-50 of Miyako Island and Ishigaki Island had to pay heavy tax for the new ruler. Due to the severity of this, a legend was born that anyone taller than the height of the Head Tax Stone had to pay the tax.
In 1902, after a petition was sent to the Meiji Government and the Parliament, the decision was made.
Finally in 1903, the law of taxation ended due to a movement that was started by several citizens. Until then, the islanders had suffered tremendously under this tax for about 300 years.
Tidal Disaster
In 1771, a big tidal wave called "Meiwa" flooded Miyako Island and killed over 2,500 people.
Captain Broughton
In 1797, the British military ship, HMS Providence, was shipwrecked at Yabiji in Ikema Island.
People of Ikema Island helped Captain Broughton and his crew by providing food, water, and wood for a week until they departed for China by their small schooner.
Captain Broughton was very pleased and impressed by people’s charity and thoughtfulness.
In 1804, he published a book called, “A Voyage of Discovery to the North Pacific Ocean”, where he introduced the wonderful people of Ikema Island. Those who read the book in Europe were full of interest on the existence of such an island and admired the people of Miyako Island.
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| The Ealy Mordern Period to Present |
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In 1852 (Edo era), approximately 3,000 people died from a great famine.
In 1871 (Meiji 4), a tribute ship from Miyakojima drifted to the shore of Taiwan. The locals killed 54 of the crew members, three of whom were drowned to death. Only 12 crew members were able to return to Miyakojima safely.
In 1873 (Meiji 6), the German ship, Robertson, was shipwrecked in Miyakojima after a typhoon.
Fortunately, the eight German crew members were saved by the people of Ueno village in Miyakojima.
The Germans were very grateful for the hospitality of the islanders, so in 1876, the German emperor sent a monument as tribute to Ueno village.
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In 1880 (Meiji 13), the Miyakojima government office was established.
In 1882 (Meiji 15), Taira Elementary School was founded.
In 1905 (Meiji 38), five fishermen from Hisamatsu village reported the sighting of a “Russian Baltic fleet". At the time of the Russian-Japanese War, the Japanese military was cautious of any movement from the Russian Baltic fleet.
| On May 25th, information that a Baltic fleet went north to the eastern side of Miyakojima was brought to an executive of Miyakojima. The report was sent to armed forces and the combined fleet of the mainland, but Ishigakijima had been the only island with a telegraph station. |
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So, the five fishermen rode in a small sabani boat for 15 hours, approximately 100km. After arriving to Ishigakijima, they walked for 5 hours to get to the telegraph station, where they finally sent a telegram.
However, a ship called Shinano-maru had already sent a telegram about the enemy fleet one hour earlier than the fishermen. Unfortunately, the effort of the five men was not recognized.
In the Showa era (1926-1989), this story was introduced in text books of junior high schools as the “Regretted One Hour”. The courageous action of the fishermen was commended by the Governor of Okinawa and they became famous as the five brave men.
In 1915 (Taisho 4), the first newspaper was published in Miyakojima.
Miyako electric Co., Ltd. was also established, providing electric service to some parts of the island.
In 1919 (Taisho 8), cholera spread. Approximately 2,000 people were infected and more than 900 people died.
In 1920 (Taisho 9), Miyakojima became a local government on the same level as the mainland for the first time. The first national census was carried out and Miyakojima had a population of more than 53,000 people.
In 1944 (Showa 19), a Japanese defense corps arrived at Miyakojima specifically to defend the island, with a force of 28,000 army and 2,000 navy members. This totaled to a military force of 30,000 members. Approximately 10,000 islanders were forced to evacuate to Taiwan and Kyushu to avoid confrontation with enemies.
In 1945 (Showa 20), a British fleet bombarded Miyakojima. Much of Hirara city was burned by an air raid. The military administration of Miyakojima was established at the same time the United States Navy was stationed.
In 1950 (Showa 25), Typhoon Elsie, with a maximum wind speed of 70m, passed through Miyakojima on July 23 , causing great damage. There were 25 deaths, 10 missing, 39 injured, and 1, 315 houses destroyed.
Miyakojima civil administration office has changed to the interim municipal authorities and existed for 1.5 years before the Ryukyu government was established on April 1952.
In 1963 (Showa 38), severe drought occurred for the first time in70 years. It did not rain for 137 days from January 15th to May 31st. The sugarcane harvest of that year was 2.2 tons per 10 Ares, which was less than 50% of a usual year.
In 1966 (Showa 41), all islands of Miyakojima were provided electricity and people were able to use electric appliances.
In 1966 (Showa 41), a large typhoon known as Colla (the second Miyakojima typhoon) passed through Miyakojima from September 4th through September 6th and caused large damages.
With a maximum wind velocity of 60.8m and maximum instantaneous wind speed of 85.3m, it had the most powerful wind velocity on Japanese record.
In 1967 (Showa 42), TV broadcast began.
In 1972 (Showa 47), Okinawa returned to Japan. As a result, the fourth currency exchange occurred: 1 dollar = 365 yen.
The first elections for governor, member of the prefectural assembly, and the Lower House were held for the first time after Okinawa’s return.
During this time, the NHK radio station began broadcasting in Miyakojima.
In 1976 (Showa 51), an additional building was added to Miyako Hospital.
NHK’s colorcast began.
The phone service of Miyakojima became dial phone.
In April 27, 1984(Showa 59), the first Miyakojima Triathlon was held.
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In 1991(Heisei 3), the Miyako horse was appointed as a protected species of Okinawa.
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In 1992 (Heisei), the Ikema Bridge was completed.
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In 1995 (Heisei), the Kurima Bridge was completed.
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In 1996 (Heisei 8), a theme park introducing German culture, the “Germany culture village", was built in Ueno village.
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On July 21st, 2000 (Heisei 12), German Prime Minister, Gerhard Schroder, who had visited Okinawa for the Okinawa Summit, visited Miyakojima.
Due to the events from 127 years ago when the people of Ueno village helped the crews of a shipwrecked German merchant ship, a special connection was made between Germany and Miyakojima.
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The underground dam was completed after 14 years of construction.
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In September, 2003 (Heisei15), a large-scale typhoon 14 attacked Miyakojima. It was the fourth recorded with a maximum instantaneous wind speed of 74.1m, and a super low pressure with a core atmospheric pressure of 912 hectopascal.
In 2004 (Heisei 16), the Miyako Agriculture and Forestry high school won the “Eighth Stockholm Youth Water Grand Prize” in an international contest held in Stockholm, Sweden, for their study to keep groundwater secure.
On January 24, the Japanese Emperor and Empress visited Miyakojima for the first time.
In 2005 (Heisei 17), on October 1st, the five cities, towns, and villages (Hirara, Gusukube, Ueno, Shimoji, and Irabu) were merged to become Miyakojima-city.
A movie theater was restored in Miyakojima for the first time in three and a half years. |
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