Sado Archive

According to Japanese records from the Edo period, the toki (Japanese crested ibis or nipponia nippon) could be found all over the country. Its natural habitat spread even to the Chinese mainland and the Korean peninsula. However, the toki`s population got decimated critically starting in the early 20th century and rapidly became so scarce from the 1930`s onward that at some point its habitat inside Japan became limited to Sado Island only.

The Japanese word “Oni” roughly translates to demon or ogre in English, making Westerners think of an evil entity for religious reasons. However, that doesn`t do the notion of Oni on Sado Island justice. On Sado, they are seen as friendly deities that would ward off evil by dancing and playing the taiko drum. This is called “Onidaiko” (demon drumming) – or “Ondeko” in the local dialect.

Rice harvesting season on Sado is roughly between September and late October. The rice fields in the plain between the two mountain ranges can easily be tilled using planting and combine machines, but the terraced rice fields in the mountains are too narrow for any machine to enter. So everything needs to be done the traditional way - by hand.

Bunya-bushi is a form of traditional Japanese narrative music accompanied by a shamisen (Japanese lute) which used to be performed on Sado Island during the Edo period as an art form for the blind. Then it came to be used during puppet theater performances until in 1872 it was established as a set - Bunya Puppet Theater.

The trekking course between Donden Highland Lodge and Mt. Kinpoku is one of the most popular courses on Sado Island. It is so varied that you will never get tired of walking it.

The cedar trees have endured severe winter weather conditions with heavy snow falls and strong winds for centuries. The environment has slowed the tree`s growth rates down and forced them to grow into unique shapes – which prompted Niigata University to conduct research on that phenomenon.

Seisuiji Temple was built in 808 based on the model of Kiyomizu-dera Temple (清水寺) in Kyoto. Both temple`s names are written with the same kanji but have different readings.

After the Meiji Restoration (1868) Noh fell into decline. Nowadays, there are not many Noh stages left, however, one third of Japan`s Noh stages are on Sado Island. This is because it is continuously practiced by ordinary people who, though they are not professionals, are passionate about the art form.

Shukunegi, being located only about 4 km southwest of Ogi Port (an important stop on the westbound route), flourished as a base for the Sengoku shipbuilding industry and has been inhabited by people engaged in occupations related to this business since around the 13th century according to historical documents.

Every year from the end of May to June, Tobishima-Kanzou (a rare type of daylily) bloom all over the place around Onogame. Within Japan, Tobishima-Kanzou can only be found in Yamagata Prefecture and on Sado Island.

Sado Island has a long history of gold and silver mining that came to an end when the Aikawa mine`s resources were exhausted and it became dormant in 1989. Today, one can still visit the mine and have a look at some of the intact tunnels.