History of the island of Nihojima near Hiroshima city

During the Jomon and Yayoi periods, the water level of Hiroshima Bay was high, and the Otagawa Delta did not exist. Only small islands such as "Niho-jima," "Ni no Shima," "Kanawa-jima," and "Unajima" were present. People began to inhabit Niho-jima from Yamato period (390 AD), and it played a significant role as one of Japan's leading cinnabar mining sites known as "Niu.".
In the west, there is the "Miyajima of Aki," and in the east, there is "Niho-jima(Niho Island)," both of which were said to delight passing ships. A poem from the early Heian period by the court noble and poet Ono no Takamura (also known as Sangi Takamura) (802-851 AD) remains: "Entering the sea, crossing twenty bays, among the ten islands, the island with a deep fragrance is one of the seven bays." The term "seven bays" refers to fishing bases, including "Housogi Bay," "Fuchizaki Bay," "Hiuna Bay," "Tanna Bay," "Oko Bay," "Honura Bay," and the "Mukainada Bay" of Mukainada-jima.

Due to Niho-jima's primary industry being fishing, the populace owned one or more boats per household, enabling them to engage in naval warfare as mariners. Consequently, there were battles among various local clans vying for control of the island's naval forces. Later, under the rule of the Aki Takeda clan, the guardians of Aki Province, the islanders served as guides and were referred to as pirates (security forces). In the early Edo period, "Ninoshima," "Kanawajima," "Touge-jima," "Kakuma-jima (Benten-jima)," "Kobenten-jima," "Ando-jima," and "Ujina-jima" were incorporated, forming the "Ninoshima Village" in Anan District. It became known as the "largest village in Japan."
In the year 1662 (Kanbun 2), an embankment was constructed from Hijiyama(Mt. Hiji) to Ohkou Bay on Niho-jima. Subsequently, in the following year, 1663 (Kanbun 3), the areas known as "Nino-jima west shinkai" and "Nino-jima east shinkai" were developed, linking Nino-jima seamlessly with the Hiroshima Castle area, including Hijiyama. In 1664, the address of Nino-jima Village was changed from "Annan District" to "Aki District."

After becoming connected, the lifestyle of local population transformed into a blend of fishing and upland farming known as "half-farming, half-fishing." Additionally, due to limited fishing grounds, residents sought new opportunities in areas such as Hokkaido, Hawaii, California, and Brazil between approximately 1885 and 1924. A significant number of people migrated, with 96% of immigrants originating from Hiroshima Prefecture (38.2%), Yamaguchi Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, and Fukuoka Prefecture. Notably, among the Hawaiian immigrants, 997 were residents of Nino-jima Village. On August 31, 1917 (Taisho 6th year), "Nino-jima Village" in Aki District was renamed to "Nino Village." Then, on April 1, 1929(Showa 4th year), "Niho Village" was incorporated into "Hiroshima City" and became known as "Hiroshima City Nino."

History Timeline of Inahojima and Oyster and Nori Aquaculture

• AD 200 -

  200 (Emperor Chuai 9th year)

  During the triumphant return from the Three Kingdoms by Empress Jingu, she stopped at Mount Honura, where the Nihohohime Shrine was established.

  339 (Emperor Nintoku 27th year)

  Establishment of the Nihohohime Shrine (Nihohoshima Castle, 1986, p.10).

  390 (Emperor Nintoku 78th year)

  People began to inhabit Nihoshima and engaged in fishing and mountain-field cultivation (Nihohoshima Castle, 1986, p.7).

  392 (Emperor Nintoku 80th year)

  Foundation of the Nihohohime Shrine (Nihohohime Shrine).

  729-749 (Tenpyo era)

  [Eba] During a visit to the island of Nashihara (Niha Island) by the Nara court official Sadachikakimi, the residents presented oysters (History of Fishing in the Otagawa Delta, 1979).

  Year 885 (Gangyo 9th year)

  Remodeling of the Nihohohime Shrine's main hall to enshrine the Usa Hachimangu, renamed as the Sei Hachimangu (Nihohoshima Castle, 1986, p.7).

• AD 1000

  1105 (Choji 2nd year):

  [Eba] According to Fu Setsu, due to a poor harvest, the residents of Joge-jima (Eba-jima) faced famine and exhausted nearby shellfish as a food source. A resident named Sei Hachi from the western part of the island provided three stones of wheat to the impoverished and sought seed shells from other regions to promote reproduction (1925, Hiroshima City History Volume 4).

  1120 (Gen'ei 3rd year)

  In ancient documents, Niho Island is recorded as "Niho Island."

  1288 (Shoo 1)

  Niho Hime Shrine receives a grant of thirty koku from Miura Hyogonokami (Miura clan head) (Source: Nihojima Castle, 1986, p.10).

  1468 (Onin 2nd year)

  Miura Hyogonokami's younger brother, Sensuke, establishes Saifuku-ji Temple (Zen Buddhism) in Motoura, the residence of the lord of Otagawa Castle.

• AD 1500

  1510 (Eisho 7th year)

  Keisu, the second head of Saifuku-ji, moved from Motoura to the Otagawa River, converting to Jodo Shinshu.

  1522 (Daiei 2nd year)

  Tagaya TakeShige of the Ouchi Navy attacked Nihojima.

  1532-1555 (Tenbun era)

  [Aki] In Aki Province, the method of aquaculture was invented (Kusatsu Guide, published in 1924).

  1555 (Koji 1st year)

  Miura Etchu-no-kami Fusaiki, a retainer of Toshiharu Sue, landed elite troops numbering over 700 on 15 warships and besieged Nihojima Castle, landing in Kusuna.

  1574 (Tensho 2nd year)

  An epidemic broke out on Nihojima, and with the earnest desire for the eradication of the epidemic, the shrine of Ujimuro Hime at Niho Hime Shrine was promoted within the precincts.

  1591 (Tensho 19th year)

  Mori Ujishin's loyal retainer, Miura Hyogonokami MotoTada (Kanda SoShiro), became the castle guard of Nihojima Castle.

  1597 (Keicho 2nd year)

  The second son of Kitakoji ChuNagon SukeMichisato, known by the Buddhist name Gensei, learned of the abandoned temple (Saifuku-ji) at the foot of Mount Niho on Niho Island, opened it, embraced Shingon Buddhism, and moved to Fukasaki.

• AD 1600

  1615 (Genna 1st year)

  The assessed land value of Niho Island is set at 364 koku 6 to (unit of measurement).

  1619 (Genna 5th year)

  [Hiroshima] On August 8th, Asano Nagahide replaced Fukushima Masanori and was transferred to Hiroshima. He introduced the cultivation of wakame seaweed from Wakayama (Kishu-kaki) to the tidal flats of Hiroshima (Source: Jitoku Kosai Biroku).

  1620 (Genna era)

  Between Niho Island, Iwanohana, and the hilly area of Mukaiyo, there was a considerably deep inlet. People from Niho then set out fishnets in this inlet (according to an old legend).

  1627 (Kan'ei 4th year)

  [Yano] Izumi Genzou (Genzo) settled in Oonada (Yano Ooi), tried cultivating various trees, and eventually succeeded with bamboo. This method became prosperous (Source: Yano Town History, 1958).

  1624-1644 (Kan'ei 1st year)

  [Niho] Yoshinoya Heishiro at Fukusaki observed oysters self-propagating on the rocks of Fukusaki Beach. To achieve this goal, he erected bamboo and wood structures, discovering a more effective method than the traditional "stone attachment method." He then abandoned the stone attachment method and adopted the bamboo attachment method (Source: Niho Village Chronicle, 1929).

  1624-1650 (End of Sengoku, Early Edo)

  [Yano] A person named Yamaoka began oyster cultivation inspired by oysters tightly adhering to the bark of yamatsuge trees (Source: Yano Town History, 1958).

  1659 (Manji 2nd year)

  [Kaita] In the area of Kaita, each household was allocated a cultivation area, and each household was granted two ken (approximately 3.6 meters) for operation (Recorded in Meiji 19).

  1659 (Manji 2nd year)

  Reclamation work started on the newly opened lands of Niho Island, both East and West.

  1660 (Manji 3rd year)

  Residents of Motoura, Niho Island, including Chosaburo and Ochaya Hansaburo, processed nori seaweed and presented "Ebiranori" to the feudal lord (Hiroshima City History).

  1662 (Kanbun 2nd year)

  The development of West and East newly opened lands of Niho Island began, and the lands of Danbara, Momoki, Enoki, Takeyao, Daikoku Shin-kai were organized (marking the first continuous land connection between Niho Island and Hiroshima Castle Town) (Source: Gendo Kosai Biroku).

  1662 (Kanbun 2nd year)

  There were often reports of the presence of Yae-bamboo (hibi-bamboo) roots in the ground of the newly opened West area of Niho Island, proving that double-layered bamboo fences (hibi fences) existed before reclamation (Encouraging Industrial Reports).

  1663 (Kanbun 3rd year)

  [Kusatsu and Kaita] It was mentioned that oysters in Aki-gun Kaita were white and sweet. There were tidal flats in Kusatsu (Record of Geibi Country, 1663).

  1663 (Kanbun 3rd year)

  In December, Matsudaira Sadayuki, the lord of Iyo (Ehime Prefecture) Matsuyama Domain, purchased 70 koku of oysters from Hiroshima, including 20 koku from Kusatsu and 50 koku from Niho Island, and distributed them to various ports in his domain (Dainippon Nogushi, Vol. 1, p. 212) (Iyo Honhanpu).

  1671 (Kanbun 14th year)

  The land filling for the newly opened East and West lands of Niho Island was carried out (12 cho for the dawn, 144 cho for Minami).

  1673-1681 (Enpo era)

  [Kusatsu] Inspired by oyster cultivation in Niho Island, fishermen led by Konishiya Gorozaemon (real name: Kobayashi Gorosaburo) discovered the fast growth of oysters attached to bamboo branches. They developed the "Hibi construction method" and invented the method of collecting one-year-old oyster spat using hibi fences (Nariseki-sho).

  1673-1681 (Enpo era)

  [Kusatsu] Konishiya Gorozaemon, along with others such as Yoroya Buhei, Onoya Kaimaro (ancestor of the Shimamoto family), Kobaraya Magobei (ancestor of the Sakuma family), and Kojimaya Masauebe (ancestor of the Shimada fishery), started selling oysters from Hiroshima to various ports, eventually reaching Osaka (Nariseki-sho).

  1680 (Enpo 8th year)

  Ochaya Hansaburo learned the nori seaweed production method in Asakusa and returned to Niho Island (Niho Village Chronicle, 1929).

  1688 (Genroku 1st year)

  [Kusatsu] In Kusatsu, Kawamo Niemon (descendant of Sugawara Yoshikuni, the lord of Yokoishiyama Castle), Konishiya Gorozaemon, Onoya Kaimaro, Kobaraya Magobei, Koyama Shuzo (ancestor of the Shimada fishery), and Kojimaya Masaizaemon formed a group of oyster stock comrades (History of Fisheries in the Ota River Delta).

• AD 1700

  1700 (Genroku 13th year), July

  [Kusatsu] The village headman Kawamo Niemon (Komonienemon) requests permission from the Sanyo Clan to engage in both sardine netting and oyster farming. The Kusatsu Oyster Stock Comrades is formed, consisting of 18 groups (with an annual delivery of one kanme of silver) and obtains permission for transportation and sales in Osaka (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819, "Origin of Oyster Farming").

  1701 (Genroku 14th year), October

  [Kusatsu] The Sanyo Clan establishes provisions regarding the Kusatsu Oyster Stock Comrades' Osaka business (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819, "Origin of Oyster Farming").

  1702 (Genroku 15th year)

  [Hiroshima] Cotton cultivation becomes prevalent along the coast of Hiroshima Bay

  1707 (Hoei 4th year) December 29

  [Kusatsu] During the Great Fire of Osaka, Kakinoya Goroemon's oyster boat, due to its significant contribution to avoiding the fire, is granted the exclusive operation of oyster businesses throughout the Osaka Horikawa area (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819, "Origin of Oyster Business in Kusatsu Village").

  1711-1716 (Shotoku era)

  Oyster business operators from Niho Island expand their sales to Osaka separately from Kusatsu Village (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1717 (Kyoho 2nd year)

  The specialties of the Hiroshima Domain, including Unada oysters and Niho Island nori seaweed, are mentioned in a report to the shogunate inspector (Hiroshima Domain Memorandum).

  1717 (Kyoho 2nd year)

  On February 23rd, oyster merchants from Kusatsu Village, led by Shooya Haneemon, and Shoya Hanbei, head of the Motoura Fukusaki, receive a pair of fishing lamps from Oosumi Osumi-no-kami (Kusatsu Hachimangu Shrine's contribution record).

  1721 (Kyoho era)

  Oyster businesses operated by Niho Island's boats in Osaka Horikawa gradually increase (Fisheries History of the Ota River Delta, 1979).

  1716-1736 (Kyoho era)

  [Kaita] The cultivation fields are transferred or sold, and the village office signs and seals the deed (Record of Customs, Meiji 19).

  1716-1736 (Kyoho era)

  [Yano] Without fixing the divisions of plots for three to four individuals in the village, they choose suitable places for oyster attachment and set up hibi fences to collect oysters (Record of Customs, Meiji 19).

  1716-1736 (Kyoho era)

  [Yano] According to a document issued by the magistrate Ominato, a total of 42 people, including fishermen, obtained permission for using hibi fences for oyster cultivation before reclamation in the Niho area (Yano Village Official Documents).

  1716-1736 (Kyoho era)

  During a visit to Edo with the Asano Clan, Nishikuni Motouemon, a resident of Oohigashi in Niho Island, learned the method of collecting seaweed in Asakusa. After returning, he experimented with building hibi fences and found that the cultivation of seaweed using female bamboo was particularly successful. From then on, bamboo was exclusively used (Ookawa Jyukenyasha Archives).

  1735 (Kyoho 20th year), May

  The Hiroshima Domain revises the regulations for the Kusatsu Oyster Stock Comrades (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1741-1744 (Kanbun era)

  Niho Island's oyster boats, with 14 boats accommodating four people each, gradually threaten the business of the Kusatsu Oyster Stock Comrades.

  1743 (Kanbun 3rd year)

  Fourteen oyster boats from Niho Island form the "Kaki Stock Comrades" separately from Kusatsu. Nine boats are based in Mukaiyo (Keizo Hachiro, Hanakaku Furojiro (2 boats), Okada Toshuemon (2 boats), Okada Magojiro, Oshimo Yosukeemon, Yamashiro Kichiroemon, and Dote Shusuke), and five boats are based in Fukusaki Motoura (Kanai Hansaburo (Yoshidaya), Okumura Tadajiro (Okuya), Ohamakan Tsukurou, Wada Tatsujuro, and YASUDA Yasubei (Uejouya)) (Fisheries History of the Ota River Delta I → Possible error in transcription).

  1743 (Kanbun 3rd year)

  [Kusatsu] Kusatsu Oyster Stock Comrades consist of 21 members (Matsuya Rokuemon, Manya Hachizaemon, Nabeya Kanbeemon, Mishimaya Jiemon, Kurumaya Tokubeemon, Koya Kiyosho, Agaya Hachizaemon, Yamaguchiya Magobe, Yamaguchiya Kyuzaemon, Yamaguchiya Shichizaemon, Yamaguchiya Zembemon, Konishiyaya Gorohachi, Matsumotoya Hachirozaemon, Onoyaya Chobeemon, Kojimaya Rokubeemon, Goya Magoemon, Goya Shichibee, Asakuraya Yohemon, Asakuraya Ichiroemon, Hanamaya Kojiro, Miyajimaya Chosamon) (Fisheries History of the Ota River Delta II).

  1743 (Kanbun 3rd year)

  The Hiroshima Domain, in response to the competition between oyster boats from Kusatsu Village in Saeki District and Niho Island in Aki District, determines that Niho Island's oyster boat count is to be 14 boats accommodating three people each (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1746 (Enkyo 3rd year), November

  The Hiroshima Domain prohibits the loading and unloading of oysters near Osaka by those without stocks from Niho Island, Funakoshi, Unada, Kaita, Yano, and Sakamura (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1745 (Enkyo 2nd year)

  Oyster cultivation in Niho Island's Mossaki is reported to have been lost to the tune of seven external individuals, according to the village headman Kanei Hansaburo's memorandum to the village office (Record of Customs, Meiji 19).

  1753 (Horeki 3rd year)

  [Eba] Yanaejiro, the second generation of Yanaeya in Enba Village, climbs Enbayama, admires the seaweed cultivation site, and attempts to produce "Ebiranori" (Hiroshima City History).

  1755 (Horeki 5th year)

  Oyster fishermen from Niho Island clash with those from Enba Island over the use of bait traps in the Nishigata area. A resolution document related to the Nishigata boundary dispute between Enba Island and Niho Island is issued, mentioning the construction of fish bait fences (Enba Fishing Cooperative documents).

  1758 (Horeki 8th year)

  [Eba] Yanae Matshichi places stones in the sea to nurture seaweed. When obtaining satisfactory results, he stops using stones and erects small frames, achieving good results. In a fortunate year, he discovers seaweed adhering to three or four small bamboo shoots within the frames, each measuring three to four feet, resembling black hair. From this point on, bamboo is discarded in favor of holding seaweed with bamboo shoots (Ookawa Jyukenyasha Archives).

  1760 (Horeki 10th year)

  Fishermen from Niho Island, not only using hand digging but also hoes and plows, disrupted the regulations established in 1760, leading to a petition from Etajima to the domain office (Fisheries History of the Ota River Delta).

  1762 (Horeki 12th year), March

  Amendments are made to the regulations of the Kusatsu Oyster Comrades (Origin of Oyster Farming).

  1767 (Meiwa 4th year)

  Tanana Village collectively starts oyster cultivation.

  1767 (Meiwa 4th year)

  Nakaya Ihei in Tanana Ura attempts oyster farming and, with permission from 108 people, starts operations (26-year fisheries system investigation document).

  1767 (Meiwa 4th year)

  Oyster sellers from Unada in Saeki District, Kusatsu Village, and other areas promote oysters in Kyoto, Sakai, and elsewhere. However, they are restrained by the Hiroshima Oyster Comrades.

  1776 (An'ei 6th year)

  A dispute arises regarding the boundary between Niho Island and Funakoshi Village. The matter is naturally resolved based on the power relations in the coastal industry (Fisheries History of the Ota River Delta, 1979).

  1781 (Tenmei 1st year)

  [Sakamura] Kimura Iyo-ya Riso, inspired by the discovery of collecting stones and cultivating oysters, begins setting up hibi fences for cultivation. This practice begins around Tenmei 4th year (Record of Customs, Meiji 19).

  1783 (Tenmei 3rd year)

  In Niuna Ura, individuals such as Yoshinoya Sogoemon start oyster and shellfish cultivation (Record of Customs, Meiji 19).

  1787 (Tenmei 7th year)

  In Niuna Ura, Yamamotoya Seijiro develops a successful method for cultivating oysters and makes efforts in the specialization of individual plots (Record of Customs, Meiji 19).

• AD 1800

  1805 (Bunka 2nd year)

  Niuna-ura faced suspension of aquaculture operations due to significant storm damage (Document of Customary Practices, 19th year of the Meiji Era).

  1811 (Bunka 8th year)

  Tadashiro Kayaya from Fuchisaki mastered the laminated seaweed production technique learned in Edo's Asakusa, completing the method of producing pressed seaweed (Niho Village Chronicle, 1929).

  1813 (Bunka 10th year)

  Among 21 oyster cultivation operators in Fuchisaki and Honura, only 5 were engaged in self-operated oyster boat businesses, while the rest were involved in sales.

  1814 (Bunka 11th year)

  On the license map for the Hibi site in Tanna-ura, Niho Island, "Yae Hibi 12" was recorded, with names and numbers assigned to nine of them (Tanna Fishing Cooperative Documents).

  1816 (Bunka 13th year)

  Ihei Nakaya from Tanna-ura, Niho Island, collaborated with Tarou Uemon in Waka-ura to clandestinely sell oysters labeled as "Waka-ura Specialty Oysters" (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1804-1818 (Bunka Era):

  [Kusatsu] A service emerged where oyster rice was cooked aboard ships and served to customers. This practice was initiated by Katsutaro Mishimaya (Kusatsu Village Oyster Guild II).

  1821 (Bunsei 4th year)

  There was a dispute over the expansion of the seaweed-building site in Ena, prompting a petition to the domain by Enoshima, particularly by Sandai Jurobei from Naua, who forcefully negotiated with a written consent from the feudal lord. Osaka merchants Shosuke Oguraya, Ichisaburo Onoya, and Hanbei Iwashiya were imprisoned for 100 and 30 days (History of the Fisheries in the Ota River Delta).

  1825 (Bunsei 8th year)

  The dispute over ownership of the Niho Island Mozasaki Oyster Bed between Kasu Village and Niho Island concluded. Niho Island interim village headmen included Jubei Harada, village headmen Ryohei, Funazakiura Group headman Hansuke, representative peasants Shinhachi and Kiyoshi, and representative oyster farmers (Hiroda Juubei (Ohamada), Nanahei (Nonoshima), Jueemon (Ikeda)) (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1830 (Bunsei 13th year)

  Used goods dealer Rinzou from Honura sent oysters directly to Kyoto and opened an oyster shop, revealing an excess production of oysters (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1843 (Tenpo 14th year)

  [Itsukushima] In Itsukushima, oyster cultivation was attempted at the beach office (19th-year Report of Customary Practices).

  1843 (Tenpo 14th year)

  A dispute over tidal flats occurred between the Shinkai group and Niho Island fishermen at the Kannon Offshore Tidal Flat (History of Fisheries in the Ota River Delta, 1979).

  1853 (Kaei 6th year)

  As of November, there were 14 shareholders on Niho Island, including Honura (Hanbei Iwashiya, Ohshima), and Fuchisaki (Hirabayashi Heibe, Fukushima Tomokichi, Tsukijima Sosuke, Ohshima Mantaro, Nakajima Jinbei, Ootaniya Jihei, Morimoto Hanji, Hakamaya Naokura, and Yoshiwaya Heishiro) (Letter to "Ginshu Yamatoya Anjiro," Osaka Kitahorie Miyagawacho).

  1860 (Bunkyu first year)

  [Hatsukaishi] Yamashiro Masatsugu and Miwa Yasuke initiated the borrowing of the sea surface over their main business (Report of Customary Practices, 19th year of Meiji).

  1869 (Meiji 2nd year)

  Oyster guild members jointly submitted a request for borrowing the riverbed in Osaka City. The document listed the operating locations and names of 21 members from Kasu and 8 from Niho (Ogawa Family Documents, 1819).

  1871 (Meiji 4th Year)

  Abolition of the han system; Hiroshima Domain becomes Hiroshima Prefecture.

  1873 (Meiji 6th year)

  Licenses for oyster beds in Kasu-oki, Ena in Enoshima, Niho Island Funazaki, Mukainada, Honura, Sakamura-oki, and Oyster Hibi-ba were renewed (Investigation Report on Hiroshima Oyster Farming Areas).

  1877 (Meiji 10th year)

  At the first Domestic Industrial Exposition in Ueno, products from Niho Island, including seaweed, oysters (by Yasujiro YASUDA), oyster ash, and cotton fabric, were exhibited.

  1877 (Meiji 10th year)

  Funazaki Post Office (Address: 809 Zuko) opened on January 16th.

  1878 (Meiji 11th year)

  Ikeza Jiemon and 530 others were granted a license for 11 cho 6 tan 20 bu of Niho Island Mozasaki Oyster Hibi-ba (Investigation Report).

  1878 (Meiji 11th year)

  Kusatsu Village oyster farmers requested to enter Funazaki, Niho Island, but this was not realized until the 14th year of Meiji (Investigation Report).

  1880 (Meiji 13th year)

  Tatsujiro Kohori revived the aquaculture site in Hiuna-ura (Report of Customary Practices, 19th year of Meiji).

  1880 (Meiji 13th year)

  535 oyster cultivation operators submitted a "request for borrowing the sea surface" to Hiroshima Prefecture.

  1881 (Meiji 14th year)

  510 individuals were granted a license for Niho Island Mozasaki Oyster Hibi-ba (Investigation Report).

  1881 (Meiji 14th year)

  The number of oyster boats: 22 in Kusatsu Village, 7 in Fuchisaki Port (including Yasujiro YASUDA, Jiroemon Ikeda, Raizo Ohama and others), 4 in Honmura (including Hanemon Kanai, Tadajiro Okumura), 3 in Mukainada Port, 5 in Arita City, 30 in Yano, 7 in Sakamura, totaling 78 (Otagawa Delta Fisheries History, 1979).

  1883 (Meiji 16th year)

  Number of oyster boats: 22 in Kusatsu Village, 6 in Fuchisaki Port, 4 in Honmura, 2 in Mukainada Port, 5 in Kaita City, 30 in Yano, 7 in Sakamura, totaling 77 (Industrial Promotion Report).

  1889 (Meiji 22th year)

  The settlements of Niho Island and Mukainada are designated as "Aki District Niho Island Village" under the municipal system.

  1890 (Meiji 23th year)

  At the Third National Industrial Exposition, Niho Island exhibits silkworm cocoons (Heishiro YASUDA), canned oysters, and seaweed (Heishiro YASUDA).

  1897 (Meiji 30th year)

  At the Second Kobe Fisheries Exposition, Niho Island exhibits dried oysters, pickled oysters, canned oysters, and dried seaweed (Yasujiro YASUDA).

• AD 1900

  1911 (Meiji 44th year)

  The overseas immigrants from the Fukasaki area numbered 728 (576 of whom immigrated to Hawaii).

  1917 (Taisho 6th year)

  Aki-gun Nihojima-mura was renamed Aki-gun Niho-mura.

  1919 (Taisho 8th year)

  Rice riots occurred in various places. Although there were gatherings of villagers in Niho Village with some unrest, the situation did not escalate into a riot.

  1929 (Showa 4th year)

  Niho Village was annexed to Hiroshima City, becoming Hiroshima City Niho-cho.

  Niho Village office issued the "Niho Village Chronicle".