Shiriyazaki Lighthouse (尻屋埼灯台, Shiriyazaki tōdai) is a lighthouse located on the outermost extremity of Cape Shiriyazaki, the northeasternmost point of Honshu, in Higashidōri, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. It received protection as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property in 2017.[2]
 Shiriyazaki Lighthouse | |
 | |
| Location | Higashidōri Aomori Prefecture Japan |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°25′49.4″N 141°27′43.6″E / 41.430389°N 141.462111°E |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1876 (first) |
| Foundation | brick and concrete |
| Construction | brick and concrete tower |
| Height | 32.82 metres (107.7 ft) |
| Shape | tapered cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings | white tower and lantern |
| Light | |
| First lit | 1951 (current) |
| Focal height | 45.70 metres (149.9 ft) |
| Lens | Second Order Fresnel |
| Intensity | 2,000,000 candela |
| Range | 34 kilometres (18 nmi) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s. |
| Japan no. | JCG-1604[1] |
History edit
The Shiriyazaki Lighthouse was one of the 26 lighthouses built in Meiji period Japan by British engineer Richard Henry Brunton. Work began in June 1873. The lighthouse was completed on October 20, 1876 (after Brunton had departed from Japan), and was the first western-style lighthouse in the Tōhoku region. On November 20, 1877, a fog bell was installed due to the high incidence of fogs and days of poor visibility in the area. This was the first fog bell in Japan, but the sound proved to be too weak, so on December 20, 1879 it was replaced by the first fog horn in Japan.[3] Other noteworthy events include the installation of the first electric power generator for a lighthouse in Japan in 1901.[3]
In 1945, during World War II, Shiriyazaki Lighthouse was bombarded by United States Navy warships, cracking its Fresnel lens and causing severe damage to its structure, killing its attendant. However, the following year, on several occasions, fishermen reported being able to see a light in the ruined lighthouse, which enabled them to land safely despite a deep fog. However, when authorities investigated, they found that the stairs were blocked with rubble and the light room was completely destroyed. A temporary light was installed in the ruined structure from August 1946, and the rumors ceased.[4] The lighthouse was repaired and went back into operation in 1951. The lighthouse is maintained by the Japan Coast Guard.[5]
The Shiriyazaki Lighthouse is registered with the Japanese government as an "A-grade Lighthouse" for historic preservation and is listed as one of the "50 Lighthouses of Japan" by the Japan Lighthouse Association.[6]
See also edit
Notes edit
- ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Japan: Aomori". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- ^ "尻屋埼灯台". Cultural Heritage Online (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on 27 July 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ a b Historical Lighthouses of Japan
- ^ Anecdotes related to Aids to Navigation
- ^ Japan Coast Guard 2nd Division
- ^ Japan Lighthouse Association home page (in Japanese)
References edit
- Brunton, Richard. Building Japan, 1868-1879. Japan Library, 1991. ISBN 1-873410-05-0
- Pedlar, Neil. The Imported Pioneers: Westerners who Helped Build Modern Japan. Routledge, 1990. ISBN 0-904404-51-X
External links edit
Media related to Shiriyazaki Lighthouse at Wikimedia Commons- Historic Lighthouses of Japan
- Lighthouses in Japan (in Japanese)
- 尻屋埼灯台 Archived 2016-08-12 at the Wayback Machine Japan's Modern Industrial Heritage (in Japanese)
