FUKUOKA

Capital of Fukuoka Prefecture; in northwestern Fukuoka Prefecture, northern Kyushu. Situated on Hakata Bay, its importance as the political, economic, and cultural center of northern Kyushu dates to the 7^th century, when the port of Hakata (now Hakata Ward) was the point of departure for travel to the Chinese continent. Dazaifu, the government outpost governing the entire Kyushu area at the time, was also nearby. Hakata reached its height of prosperity during the 15^th and 16^th centuries as a result of trade with Ming dynasty (1368-1644) China. In 1601 a castle was constructed in the western part of Hakata and the area surrounding the castle was named Fukuoka. In 1889, Hakata and the castle town of Fukuoka merged to form the city of Fukuoka.

Shinto Shrine in the town of Dazaifu, Fukuoka Prefecture, Kyushu; dedicated to the spirit of the slandered scholar and statesman Sugawara no Michizane, who died in exile at Dazaifu in 903. A shrine was built by imperial command in 919, and Michizane became the patron of scholarship and calligraphy. The present main shrine building dates from 1591. The annual festival is held on 25 September. A service called Usokae, to which people bring a bird-shaped amulet (uso) and walk in a circle around a tree exchanging their uso with those of others in the hope of acquiring a special uso of good luck carried secretly by shrine officials, is performed on 7 January. On the same date there is a spectacular ritual of exorcism (tsuina) known as Onisube.

Expanding International Exchange

On March 5, Fukuoka Prefecture concluded a friendship agreement with the National Capital Territory of Delhi, India, the first of its kind for a Japanese local government. On behalf of Mr. Wataru Aso, Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture, Mr. Shinsuke Eguchi, Treasurer of Fukuoka Prefecture, attended the signing ceremony held in India. The ceremony was followed by a joint communiqué, which includes the plans for holding an India Fair in Fukuoka Prefecture, inviting participants from Delhi to Fukuoka Prefecture’s program for training personnel who can contribute to international environment protection, and supporting the exchange between Kyushu National Museum and the National Museum of New Delhi. This Agreement is expected to help deepen international exchange between Fukuoka and Delhi in various fields, such as economy, environment, culture and youth education.