Mega Essay

Kumamoto history

Pre-history

Kumamoto has a warm climate, rich water, a very large hill. So, It is predicted that people settled down in Kumamoto for around 15,000 years. In Yayoi period, rice growing begins quickly, and bronze ware and the ironware are seen because it is near the continent. The Japanese oldest iron ax is excavated in Tamana-gun Tensuimachi, and it shows that Yayoi Culture prospered. Climate of Kumamoto is sung in "Manyoshu tanka collection". The remains of the Jomon period are discovered in Amakusa Island. About 800 places have remains in Kumamoto.

Middle history

When the Heian era began, there was 99 volost in 14 counties and the bottom in the Higo country. When the manor heyday, about 10 baronies such as Aso manor and Yamaga manor were made. When the Kamakura period, Samurais were appointed by a lord of a manor and the protection. Mr. Aso and Kikuchi showed power in Kumamoto. From 1587, Kiyomasa Kato and Yukinaga Konishi ruled over the country of Higo. Kiyomasa Kato built Kumamoto Castle. Now, Kumamoto Castle is called "three Japanese fine castles" with Himeji Castle and Nagoya Castle. Kato received a trace of Konishi who died out by a fight of Sekigahara, and unified Higo. When it was the late Tokugawa period, the finance of the feudal clan became gradually hard. They tried for various political reforms and promotion of industry, but the shogunate government collapsed soon.

Modern history

In 1869, the Higo feudal clan was changed to Kumamoto feudal clan after return of the land and people from the feudal lords to the Emperor. The Kumamoto feudal clan became Kumamoto by establishment of prefectures in place of feudal domains of 1971. In 1871, Kumamoto medical school, Kumamoto Dutch learning school were established, and the modernization by Western civilization was planned. On the other hand, the family with samurai antecedents had dissatisfaction toward the new government. So the Southwestern Rebellion happened. Kumamoto became the battle place. Afterwards, a great number of changes were performed, and the local government system advanced slowly afterwards in the direction of the local self-government. Kumamoto city was born in 1889. And, merger advanced more, and new cities, towns and villages were born. And now Kumamoto has 11 cities, 62 towns and 21villages.