Category:Chūgoku Region
Chūgoku (中国地方) is a region located in the western part of Honshū, facing the Sea of Japan to the north and the Seto Inland Sea to the south. Historically, the region held strategic significance as a corridor between central Japan and Kyūshū, with castle towns, port settlements, and mountain passes shaping the cultural landscape. Chūgoku is known for a balance of rural coastal communities, historical pilgrimage centers, and industrial port cities.
Craft production in Chūgoku reflects the interplay between inland mountain resources and maritime exchange routes. Local clay, lacquer trees, iron sand, and natural dye plants have supported long-standing ceramic, lacquerware, and textile traditions. The region is also historically associated with Shinto shrine culture and stone architecture, with its crafts often tied to ritual and local folklore.
Chūgoku’s cultural identity varies notably between the northern coastal areas, which are more rural and historically isolated, and the southern Inland Sea cities that developed through trade and industrial activity.
Administrative Structure
Chūgoku Region consists of five prefectures:
Cultural Significance
- Known for ceramic traditions such as Bizen ware (Okayama).
- Strong lacquerware and woodworking traditions tied to shrine craftsmanship.
- Localized textile and dyeing practices reflecting regional flora.
- Distinct cultural contrast between Sea of Japan coast and Inland Sea trade centers.
Geography
- Location: Western Honshū
- Landscape: Coastal plains, inland mountain ranges, river valleys
- Major cities: Hiroshima, Okayama, Matsue
See also
Pages in category "Chūgoku Region"
The following 14 pages are in this category, out of 14 total.
