Ishikawa Prefecture

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Lore & Background

Ishikawa was formed in 1872 from the merger of Kaga Province and the smaller Noto Province, with the seat of government initially in Mikawa. The political center moved to Kanazawa in 1873. The newly formed prefecture came under national scrutiny after the Kioizaka Incident in 1878, in which six shizoku (士族), dissatisfied by the Meiji government's 'maladministration, suppression of civil rights, and misuse of government property,' assassinated statesman Ōkubo Toshimichi. Concerned about a possible Hokuriku bloc supporting the Freedom and People's Rights Movement, the national government divided the prefecture in two stages: Fukui Prefecture was formed in 1881, and Toyama Prefecture in 1883. On 1 January 2024, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula. In Ishikawa, 508 people were killed and 2 people remain missing. Overall, an estimated 1,200 people were injured across different prefectures. In September 2024, severe rainfall led to deadly floods and landslides, causing at least six deaths and widespread damage, with thousands evacuated as rivers overflowed.

Reader's Guide

Ishikawa Prefecture is home to Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en (one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan), Nyotaimori ('body sushi'), and Kutani ware. The area is noted for arts and crafts including Kaga silk (Kaga yūzen), Kanazawa lacquerware (Kanazawa shikki), Kanazawa gold leaf (Kanazawa haku), Kaga mizuhiki, and Kaga inlay crafts (Kaga zōgan). Noh was introduced during the rule of the fifth Maeda lord Tsunanori and refined into Kaga hosho. The tea ceremony was introduced in 1666 when Maeda Toshitsune invited Senbiki Soshitsu of Urasenke to Kanazawa. The prefecture's industry is dominated by textiles (particularly artificial fabrics) and machine construction. Popular tourist destinations include the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa, the Higashi-chaya district, Kaga hot-springs district, Wakura Onsen, Mount Haku, and the Wajima Morning Market. Notable people from Ishikawa include baseball player Hideki Matsui, philosopher D. T. Suzuki, author Kyōka Izumi, and actor Takeshi Kaga.

Did You Know?

• Ishikawa was formed in 1872 from the merger of Kaga Province and Noto Province.
• The Kioizaka Incident in 1878 led to the assassination of statesman Ōkubo Toshimichi by six shizoku.
• On 1 January 2024, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Noto Peninsula, killing 508 people in Ishikawa.
• Nyotaimori, or 'body sushi,' is said to have originated in Ishikawa Prefecture.
• Hideki Matsui, former New York Yankees player, was born and raised in Neagari Town (now Nomi City), Ishikawa.