Pearl Cultivation in Our Region

In 1627, as a source of revenue for the domain, the Uwajima Domain established cooperative fishing organizations called “結出網” at 須下, 成 and 平井 on the “Yura Peninsula,” one of the foremost fishing grounds of the Uwa Sea.

Led by the net owners, people cleared the mountains and secured food from terraced fields, and fishing began in this remote area; in time, settlements took shape.

During and after the war, around Showa 20 (1945), even the wheat and potatoes produced in this area were requisitioned as controlled food and sent to cities suffering from food shortages.

From Showa 20 to around Showa 26 (1945–1951), a series of huge sardine catches brought a sudden boom to this area.

However, overfishing then led to poor catches, and the demands of the era shifted from food to industrial products. In addition, falling prices for wheat and potatoes squeezed livelihoods, and life in the region became hard once again.

At that time, the cities were enjoying continued prosperity, and much of the labor force flowed out of the Yura Peninsula to the cities.

The Beginning of Pearl Cultivation

Meanwhile, after the war, the pearl cultivation industry resumed, starting from Mie Prefecture.

As the era of free trade arrived, Japanese pearls sold well amid worldwide inflation, and the pearl industry, as one of Japan’s leading star industries, continued to double in both production and exports.

As the market expanded, Murata Pearl of Mie Prefecture settled in Arashi Village here in the Shimonada district.

During this period, the pearl industry in various places began in the form of producing Akoya oysters to supply pearl cultivators in Mie Prefecture.

Soon afterward, several people in this area also set their sights on pearl cultivation in the Uwa Sea.

Pearl Cultivation on the Yura Peninsula

From Showa 41 (1966), overproduction occurred, the unit price of pearls plummeted, and export volumes fell sharply.

Even in such circumstances, however, the Yura Peninsula was blessed with superb, unpolluted fishing grounds, and thanks to the diligent efforts of our predecessors, the pearls grown here were highly regarded.

And production gradually increased.

In Showa 50 (1975), as Ehime Prefecture became Japan’s top pearl-producing prefecture, the Yura Peninsula too was abuzz with a pearl boom.

Whole families in the area worked diligently from early morning until late at night.

It seemed as though this beautiful sea would give the people of the region limitless wealth.

Mass Mortality of Akoya Oysters

In September of Heisei 7 (1995), a mass die-off of Akoya oysters struck this area.

The definitive cause of the mass die-off is still not known today.

At the time, Ehime Prefecture produced about 90% of the nation’s pearl mother oysters, so the impact spread nationwide, and Japan’s pearl production fell sharply.

Cultivation Techniques Passed Down

Even in these devastating circumstances, the pearl farmers of this area did not give up on pearl cultivation and continued to refine their cultivation techniques.

Then, in Heisei 19 (2007), a producer from among this area’s pearl farmers won first place at the Ehime Prefecture pearl competition.

We, too, continue pearl cultivation in this area.

The bounty of the rich Uwa Sea and the unceasing efforts of its producers — we wish to carefully deliver to our customers each pearl that is the fruit of both.