Ie-shima
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Ie-shima
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(伊江島 -island) is an island in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, lying a few kilometers off the Motobu Peninsula of Okinawa Honto. It measures 20 km around and has a population of 5,055. The island constitutes Ie Village and is connected to the okinawa bu motobu-wan by fairy (also going to tomari.
The most notable geographic feature is a peak called Gusukuyama (or 'Tacchu') at a height of 72 meters resembleing a volcano but is actually an erosion artifact.
Ie island is the setting of a traditional okinawan drama where a sad girl by the name of Hando-gwaa who fell in love with a man named Kanahi, ie-shima's headman. When Hando-gwaa learned that Kanahi had already wed she climed up to Tacchu Mountain and hanged herself with her long black hair.
U.S. journalist Ernie Pyle died there during the Battle of Okinawa in World War II. There is a monument dedicated to his memory in a coral cave on a beach on the souther coast of the island.
The United States military maintains a small 'auxiliary landing strip' on Ie, although there is no permanent installation or personnel.
Alternately called "Peanut Island," for its general shape and peanut crop, or "Flower Island," for its abundant flora and more sizeable crop, Ie now draws tourists by bus and ferry, though its overnight accommodations are not yet extensive.