Lake Biwa
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2012) |
Lake Biwa | |
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琵琶湖 ( Okishima (inhabited) | |
Settlements | Higashiōmi, Hikone, Kusatsu, Maibara, Moriyama, Nagahama, Ōmihachiman, Ōtsu, Takashima, Yasu |
Official name | Biwa-ko |
Designated | June 10, 1993 |
Reference no. | 617[2] |
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure. |
Lake Biwa (琵琶湖, Biwa-ko) is the largest
Name
The name Biwako was established in the Edo period. There are various theories about the origin of the name Biwako, but it is generally believed to be so named because of the resemblance of its shape to that of a stringed instrument called the biwa. Kōsō, a learned monk of Enryaku-ji in the 14th century, gave a clue to the origin of the name Biwako in his writing: "The lake is the Pure land of the goddess Benzaiten because she lives on Chikubu Island and the shape of the lake is similar to that of the biwa, her favorite instrument."[5]
The lake was formerly known as the Awaumi (淡海, Freshwater Sea) or the Chikatsu Awaumi (近淡海, Freshwater Sea Near [the Capital]). Later the pronunciation Awaumi changed to the modern Ōmi as in the name of Ōmi Province. The lake is also called Nio no Umi (鳰の海, "Little Grebe Lake") in literature.
Area and use
The area of this lake is about 670 km2 (260 sq mi).
It serves as a reservoir for the cities of
The
Lake Biwa is home to many popular beaches along the north-western shore, in particular, for example, Shiga Beach and Omi-Maiko. The Mizunomori Water Botanical Garden and The Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu are also of interest.
The Lake Biwa Marathon takes place in Ōtsu, the city at the southern end of the lake, annually since 1962.
Natural history
Lake Biwa is of
There are 46 native fish species and subspecies in the lake,
Lake Biwa is also the home of a large number of
Recently the
Archaeology
The Awazu site, a submerged
The site shows the use of plant and animal food resources by the Jōmon people. It also demonstrates the importance of nut consumption in this period.
Shell Midden No. 3 is dated to the
Ishiyama is another such site of the Early Jōmon period on Lake Biwa.[11]
Environmental legislation
Various environmental laws cover Lake Biwa:
Eutrophication prevention
At the prefectural level, Eutrophication Control Ordinance was enacted in 1979. It was intended to control the use of synthetic detergents by companies and residents alike and followed a successful citizens' campaign known as the Soap Movement, which had emerged from women's consumer groups earlier in the 1970s.[13]
Legislation to prevent eutrophication was enacted in 1981 and first enforced on July 1, 1982; therefore, this day is called "Lake Biwa Day (びわ湖の日, Biwako no Hi)". The legislation established standards for the nitrogen and phosphorus levels for agricultural, industrial, and household water sources emptying into the lake. They also banned people from using and selling synthetic detergents which contain phosphorus.
Wetlands protection
The lake was designated as a UNESCO Ramsar Wetland (1993) in accordance with the Ramsar Convention. The object of this treaty is to protect and sensibly use internationally valuable wetlands. The Kushiro marsh (釧路湿原, Kushiro Shitsugen) in Japan is under this treaty now.
Conservation of Reed Vegetation Zones
Reed colonies on the shore form give Lake Biwa its characteristic scenery. The reeds play an important role in purifying water as well as providing habitat for birds and fish. At one time there were large areas of reeds along the shores of Lake Biwa, which local government surveys recently found to have halved in size due to encroaching development. This Shiga Ordinance for the Conservation of Reed Vegetation Zones to protect, grow, and utilize the reed beds has been in force since 1992.
Gallery
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Lake Biwa at Chomeiji-cho, Ōmihachiman
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Lake Biwa Canal
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Mangetsu-ji temple, one of the Eight Views of Omi
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A pleasure boat from Ōtsu Port
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Sunrise over Lake Biwa
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Nagahama Port
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A snowy Lake Biwa seen from an airplane window and a not snowy Lake Biwa seen from a ferry, 2022
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Lake Biwa from Kitahira-Tōge Pass
See also
- Eight Views of Omi
- Biwako Line
- Biwako Quasi-National Park
- glider and human-powered flightcompetition.
- Biwa town, a town on the northern shore of Lake Biwa and its name was named after Lake Biwa.
- F.C. Mi-O Biwako Kusatsu, a football club based in Kusatsu, Shiga, facing the lake.
- Tourism in Japan
- Lake Hamana, a lake in Shizuoka Prefecture, its old name was "distant fresh-water sea".
- Takeshima Island
Explanatory notes
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Tabata, R.; Kakioka, R.; Tominaga, K.; Komiya, T.; Watanabe, K. (2016). Phylogeny and historical demography of endemic fishes in Lake Biwa: the ancient lake as a promoter of evolution and diversification of freshwater fishes in western Japan. Ecology and Evolution 6(8): 2601–2623.
- ^ "Biwa-ko". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- ^ "Biwa, Lake". Academic Dictionaries and Encyclopedias.
- ^ "Ancient lakes of the world". Christopher M. Free. Archived from the original (website) on February 9, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ISBN 4-88325-129-2
- S2CID 44186839.
- ^ ISBN 978-94-007-1783-1
- ISBN 1-4020-3745-7
- ^ "IGFA World Records". Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ "Game & Fish". May 12, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2019.
- ^ ISBN 0199573492p.181
- ISSN 1040-6182.
- ^ Kira, T., Ide, S., Fukada, F., Nakamura, M. (2005) Lake Biwa: Experience and Lessons Learned Brief. International Lake Environment Committee Foundation, Shiga, Japan.
External links
- Department of Lake Biwa and Environment, Shiga Prefecture
- Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute
- Lake Biwa Museum
- Ramsar site database
- go.biwako - Travel Guide of Shiga Prefecture, Japan
- Lake Biwa (World Wildlife Fund)
- Review of Criodrilidae (Annelida: Oligochaeta) including Biwadrilus from Japan
- Live Webcam of Biwako
- Japan's Secret Garden NOVA / PBS
- Fishing World Records