18 N. Yamasaki 



The south coast of Chugoku shows quite a different aspect. It 

 faces the Setouchi or Inland Sea. This peculiar sea is a zone of 

 depression having Chugoku on one side and Shikoku and Kyushu on 

 the other, and is joined to the outer seas by narrow channels or seto. 

 The name Seto-ucM means literally, '' Wilhin the channels." This sea 

 is divided into several small open seas or nada by groups of hundreds 

 of islands, which now remain as detached elevations in this depressed 

 zone. From Osaka Bay, Harima-nada, Midzushima-nada, Bingo-nada, 

 Aki-nada and Suo-nada lie to the west successively. They are 

 generally very shallow and in most parts do not exceed 40 m. in 

 depth. Tlie only portions where great depths are found, are the nar- 

 row passages at the outlets to the sea, where the bottom is acted 

 upon most effectively by the eiosion of tidal currents. 



The coastal line of Chugoku is highly developed on the shore of 

 Setouchi. Numerous inlets cut into the land, and there are many 

 good harbours and anchorages. Among them the Bay of Hiroshima 

 is one of the best, with the city of the same name on its shore. 

 Not far from there and on the coast of an arm of Aki-nada, is the 

 naval port of Kure with its large docks and arsenal. Itsuku-shima or 

 Miya-jima, situated in Hiroshima Bay, is noted for its beautiful moun- 

 tain scenery and so-called "Floating shrine." The channel between 

 Chugoku and Kyushu makes an excellent harbour, though the tidal 

 current at the entrance is very rapid. Shimonoseki on the side of 

 Chugoku is a flourishing city, for many centuries known as a rice market. 

 It is now an important terminus of a trunk line of railways in 

 Honshu and is joined with Fnsan, the soafhern front door of Chosen, 

 by daily service of rapid passenger boats. There is also a busy 

 connection of ferries with Moji on the opposite side of the channel. 



On the shores of the Inland Sea, both in Chugoku and Shikoku, 

 there are many salt gardens. Lesser precipitation and good evaporation 

 favour this industry and make these regions the jirincipal place for 

 the production of salt in Japan. In the coastal plain near Okayama 

 rush grass is cultivated, and the weaving of fancy matting is a very 

 fiom-ishing industry there. Cattle raising prevails in the moimtain 

 villages. 



ii. Shikoku : — This island is nothing but a detached block of 

 the southern arc of Japan. It is separated from Chugoku by the 

 Inland Sea, while a great depression forms the large bay of Tosa on 

 the south, bounded by the two promontories, Muroto and Ashiziu-i, 



