Geography

Mie is located in the southeastern area of the Kinki district. To the north the Yoro mountains form the border with Gifu prefecture, and the southern area meets Wakayama prefecture towards the bottom of the Kii Peninsula. This long narrow prefecture runs 175 kilometers from north to south. The eastern area faces Ise Bay and Kumano Nada, and the western area meets Shiga and Nara prefectures. The distance between the eastern and western points is only 30-80 kilometers. The western side of Mie is very mountainous. In fact, the Ise Plain is the only flat land found in the prefecture, stretching from the northern region to the Shima Peninsula along Ise Bay. Weather is generally rather warm and humid. However, the southern Kii Peninsula experiences heavy rainfalls due to the Pacific Ocean influence.

Industry & Economy

Except for the heavy industries around Yokkaichi and Tsu, the whole area centers on agriculture and forestry. Although Mie has the second highest ratio of people engaged in agriculture in the Kinki and Tokai area, the gross agricultural product is not especially high. Mie does, however, enjoy good rice and vegetable crops, with tea leaves (third in the nation), rape seeds, sweet potatoes, radishes, and tangerines. Numerous privately owned forests provide a healthy forestry industry as well. A sound fishing industry and Mie's world famous cultured pearls are made possible by its excellent seaports.

Cultural Background

Sitting just beyond the mountains is the ancient city of Yamato (Nara) which played an important role in the cultural development of the prefecture. Yamato's influence can be seen in the Ise Shrine and early development of transportation systems, both land and sea. Commercial activities advanced quickly in spite of the necessity to use boats before an adequate land connection was developed between Tsu and Nagoya. Growth was advanced even further when the New Tokai Road opened between Suzuka and Kyoto.

Religious Milieu

The Ise Shrine has long been one of the most famous in Japan. It is here that the imperial ancestors are enshrined, making it the central place of worship. After the Meiji era the shrine was used to unify the nation around Shintoism. As a part of this movement, the shrine was given the exclusive right to sell certain religious paraphernalia, which has given it a solid financial base. Mie and Shiga prefectures have the highest percentage of Shinto believers in western Japan. There are also many Buddhist followers. There are several Protestant and Catholic schools in the prefecture, but no medical facilities.

The Mission

In the late 16th century Ujisato Gamo, Lord of Matsuzaka, and other area leaders were baptized, influencing many to follow them. They were mainly located in the areas of Ise and Iga. Out of Japan's 26 saints who were martyred at Nagasaki in I 597, five were said to be from Ise. Ise Shrine is certainly a hindrance to evangelism, but because the people have had so many contacts with people who come to the shrine from all over Japan, they are generally open-minded and less conservative.