Spot

Control of the Shiwaku Islands was granted to 650 master mariners from the islands in return for their service to the Toyotomi clan during the wars for unification of Japan in the late 16th century. Government administration under the shogunate was handled at first by four representatives, called toshiyori (elders), who took turns keeping the official seals in their homes. As a result of government reforms, an administrative office was built in 1798 and the duties alternated among three representatives. The Shiwaku Kinbansho is the rebuilt administrative office from 1860, which now holds exhibits relating to the history and achievements of the famed Shiwaku mariners.