A History of Emigration to Hawaii from Oosima-gun, Yamaguti Prefecture

0osima-gun was one of the most ramarkable sources of emigration in Japan. Especially, 0osima-gun occupied the most important situation from the beginning of emigration to Hawaii. For instance, on the occasion of the first official emigration to Hawaii in 1885, about one-third of the emigrants started from this district.In the first period of emigration to Hawaii, the emigrants were employed during three years with a contract to labor at the sugar-cane plantations. After the term of contract expired､ some of them returned to Japan, but others stayed in Hawaii and worked in various professions. The work and thrift of the emigrants from this district were very famous in Hawaii. The number of imigrants living in Hawaii who had come from this district was about 3､600-3,900 during 1916-1920.They sent much money to their native villages where it was spent to build houses,to buy farms, to repay dept, etc.Hence,the economy in this district was distinctly improved and the social level was remarkably promoted. The reasons for emigration overseas from this district are presumed asfollows : 1.The density of population was too high and the economic condition was too low. 2.The people had the spirit to cross the ocean, because Oosima-gun consists of some islands in the Inland Sea.

山口県大島郡

ハワイ移民史