Ōmiya, Saitama

Not to be confused with current Ōmiya ward in Saitama City.

Ōmiya (大宮市, Ōmiya-shi) was a city located in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

On May 1, 2001, Ōmiya was merged with the cities of Urawa and Yono to create the city of Saitama. This merger aimed to streamline administrative functions and promote regional development. In 2003, Saitama City became a designated city, leading to the establishment of wards, including Ōmiya Ward, which encompasses much of the former Ōmiya-shi area.

Since April 1, 2003, the area of former Ōmiya City has been divided into 4 wards: Kita-ku, Minuma-ku, Nishi-ku and Ōmiya-ku of Saitama City.

History

Origin and pre-modern history

Ōmiya's origins trace back to its role as a temple town for the Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine, a significant Shinto shrine with a history spanning over 2,400 years. Ōmiya is an indigenous Japanese language word which can be decomposed to Ō (大, kun'yomi (Japanese reading) おお: large, great) and miya (宮, kun'yomi み-や: noble or holy - house; palace or shrine) after the Hikawa Shrine.

The town was on the Nakasendō, a main national road in the feudal Edo period and the predecessor to a part of National Highway Route 17, and the Takasaki Line.

During the Edo period, Ōmiya flourished as a post town (shukuba) along the Nakasendō, one of the five major routes connecting Edo (now Tokyo) to Kyoto. Its strategic location contributed to its development as a hub for travelers and commerce.

Modern Ōmiya

• On April 1, 1899, the town of Ōmiya as a modern municipality was founded.
• After the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake, bonsai nurseries relocated from Tokyo and formed the bonsai village.
• In 1940, Ōmiya became a city after several surrounding village annexations/mergers.

Saitama City era

• On May 1, 2001, Ōmiya was merged with the cities of Urawa and Yono to create the new capital city of Saitama.
• On April 1, 2003, when Saitama became a designated city, the former area of Ōmiya City has been divided into 4 wards: Kita-ku, Minuma-ku, Nishi-ku and Ōmiya-ku.

Historical and Cultural Significance

Musashi Ichinomiya Hikawa Shrine

• Ōmiya's name, meaning "great shrine," is derived from this significant Shinto shrine, which boasts over 2,400 years of history. It's considered the spiritual heart of the region and has been revered by various ruling clans throughout Japanese history.

Ōmiya Bonsai Village:

• Established in 1925 by bonsai artisans relocating after the Great Kantō Earthquake, this village has become a renowned center for bonsai culture. The Ōmiya Bonsai Art Museum showcases masterpieces, including the 500-year-old "Chiyo no Matsu." ​

Education

A North Korean school, Saitama Korean Elementary and Middle School (埼玉朝鮮初中級学校), was previously in the City of Ōmiya. Established in 1961, it serves the Korean community by providing education from kindergarten through middle school, focusing on Korean language, history, and culture. The school is affectionately known as "ウリハッキョ" (Uri Hakkyo), meaning "Our School" in Korean, reflecting its role as a cultural and educational hub for the local Korean community.

In 2011, the school lost its local government subsidy, leading to financial difficulties. Since then, it has relied on tuition fees, donations, and fundraising efforts to continue its operations. The community's resilience is evident in initiatives like the "Saitama Kimchi Diary", a short film highlighting mothers selling handmade kimchi to support the school. The community's resilience is evident in initiatives like the "Saitama Kimchi Diary", a short film highlighting mothers selling handmade kimchi to support the school.