Taishi, Hyōgo

Taishi 太子町
Town
Location of Taishi in Hyōgo Prefecture
Taishi Location in Japan
Coordinates: 34°50′N 134°34′E / 34.833°N 134.567°ECoordinates: 34°50′N 134°34′E / 34.833°N 134.567°E
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Prefecture	Hyōgo Prefecture
District	Ibo
Area
• Total	22.62 km^2 (8.73 sq mi)
Population (2008)
• Total	34,088
• Density	1,500/km^2 (3,900/sq mi)
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
Website	www.town.taishi.hyogo.jp

Taishi (太子町 Taishi-chō) is a town located in Ibo District, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.

As of 2011, the town has an estimated population of 34,503. The total area is 22.62 km².

Originally the Ibo District was divided into three towns (Ibogawa, Shingū, Mitsu). In October 2005 the three towns along with the town of Tatsuno merged into a single city bearing the name of Tatsuno. The merger left Taishi as the sole remaining independent town of the Ibo District. Separate plans have been laid out respectively for the merger Taishi and Tatsuno, and the merger of Taishi and Himeji into a single municipal district.

The city is enveloped to the west by the city of Tatsuno, and to the east by the city of Himeji.

Geography

Natural Features

Tatsuoka Yama holds a water reservoir tank for the city of Taishi.

• Dantoku Hill (Dantoku Yama)
• Tatsuoka Hill (also known as Tatsuoka Yama)
• Ōtsumo River.

Neighboring Cities

• Himeji, Tatsuno

History

• 1931 - The town of Ikaruga was incorporated on present grounds of Taishi.
• 1951 - The villages (mura) of Sekkai and Ōda were merged with Ikaruga to form Taishi.
• 1955 - The village of Tatsuda was incorporated into Taishi.

Places of Commerce

Companies

• Toshiba factory - production of semiconductors and related products.

Notable Products

• Figs

Notable Places

Cultural and Historical Landmarks

Three-storied pagoda, located on the grounds of Ikaruga Temple.

• Ikaruga-dera - A Buddhist temple of the Tendai sect that is connected to Prince Shōtoku and given a construction date of A.D. 606 in historical writings.
• The City Museum of History (Minzoku Shiryou kan; 民俗資料館) consists of a single historical building arrayed with artifacts dating from 1860-1863.
• The D51-345 is a locomotive dating from 1941, manufactured in Yamaguchi and on display near Tatsuoka Hill.

Places of Cultural Interest

• Asuka Hall - Built in 1993, a culture and arts center where music and other performances are held. Seats an audience of 800.

Notable People

• Miyamoto Musashi (1584–1645) - Influential nobleman known for both swordplay and penmanship; born in Taishi; noted in the collection of writings known as the Harimakagami. The fact is possibly apocryphal as many cities lay claim to his birthplace.
• Noguchi Sōichi (1965-) - Astronaut and engineer; attended elementary school in Taishi starting from 3 years of age until completing the 5th grade.
• Yamada Etai (1895–1994) - Buddhist monk, head of the Tendai sect.
• Yasuda Seifū (1895–1979) - Poet who spearheaded the publication of the Tanka periodical Shiratama; known also for writing the poems Harutori and Tatsuokayama.

External links

• Media related to Taishi, Hyōgo at Wikimedia Commons
• Local school website
• Taishi official website
• Taishi places of historical interest