Hobara, Fukushima
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Hobara
保原町 | |
|---|---|
Former municipality | |
 Interactive map of Hobara | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Tōhoku |
| Prefecture | Fukushima Prefecture |
| Merged | January 1, 2006 (now part of Date) |
| Area | |
• Total | 41.99 km2 (16.21 sq mi) |
| Population (January 1, 2006) | |
• Total | 24,491 |
| • Density | 583.25/km2 (1,510.6/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 (JST) |
| Symbols | |
| Bird | the common cuckoo |
| Flower | peach blossoms |
| Tree | Japanese red pine |
Hobara (保原町, Hobara-machi) is one of five neighborhoods within the city of Date, Fukushima, along with the towns of Date, Yanagawa, Ryozen, and Tsukidate. Until the merger of all five towns in 2006, Hobara was a town located in Date District, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.
At that time, studies reported the town had an estimated population of 24,491 people and a density of 583.25 persons per km². The total area was 41.99 km².
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The town's symbol was designed in 1957, mixing the katakana character for "ho," as in "Hobara" and the character for "en" or yen.[1]
In 1960, the town of Hobara and the villages of Ooda, Kamihobara, Hashirazawa, and Tominari merged, retaining the name "Hobara."[2]
In 1979, peach blossoms, the Japanese red pine, and the common cuckoo were designated the town's official flower, tree, and bird, respectively.[1]
On January 1, 2006, Hobara, along with the towns of Date, Ryōzen, Tsukidate and Yanagawa (all from Date District), was merged to create Date City.
Education
- Hobara High School
- Shoyo Junior High School
- Hobara Elementary School
- Hashirazawa Elementary School
- Hobara Kindergarten
- Hobara Nursery School
Transportation
Railway
AbukumaExpress – Abukuma Express Line
- Takako - Kamihobara - Hobara - Ōizumi - Niida
Highway
Events
Tsutsuko-biki Festival
Tsutsuko-biki is a yearly festival that happens in Hobara on the first Sunday in March. Men from upper, lower, and central Hobara pull at three sides of a "tsutsuko" (meaning a "tawara" or straw bag) containing mochi. In the past, when the town market was held on the 5th and 10th of every month, this festival was held on January 24 to decide which section of the town would have the right to host the market.[3]
Local legend states that the festival began when a severe famine broke out during the Kyōhō Era (1716-1736) in the mid-Edo Period. The lord of Yanagawa at that time, Matsudaira Michiharu (later known as Tokugawa Muneharu), gathered the locals and gave them rice seeds that provided a great harvest the following year.[4] The event is a Shinto ritual of Itsukushima Shrine.[3]
Momo Marathon
There is a yearly "Momo Marathon" (Peach Marathon) which passes through Hobara each summer.
Folk Tales and Local Legends
Shinkeibo
Shinkeibo (真敬坊) was a Japanese monk who travelled through Hobara during a plague and was able to treat the villagers, saving them from their sickness. Shinkeibo was asked by the villagers to stay in the town permanently, but stories vary as to whether he resumed wandering or spent the rest of his life in Hobara. Shinkeibo is still considered a hero for his help.[5]
Bomaka
Bomaka (ぼまか) is the name of a playful spirit that caused trouble to residents of Hobara for approximately one year. Little is known about him beyond his great power and mischievous nature.
Kamekyo
Kamekyo is the name of a spirit that resides in a local shrine, Itsukushima Shrine (厳島神社) in Hobara. Local legends include tales in which Kamekyo, a childlike spirit, plays with village children or helps villagers in times of famine or poverty.
