Lines of Buddha statues are seen on Mt. Shirataki in Onomichi, Hiroshima Prefecture.
The Geiyo Islands, a group of nearly 200 islands administered by Hiroshima and Ehime prefectures, were formerly the stronghold of the Murakami pirates, who controlled the waters here from the 14th to the 16th century.
They made their living in part by piloting ships, fishing, and trading salt and stone. The islands were designated as a Japan Heritage Site ten years ago for this history.
The pirates also plundered to survive, making them a thorn in the side of feudal lords. But that is not the whole story for the Murakami pirates.
They controlled shipping routes in the Seto Inland Sea and helped maintain maritime order. They guarded the ships of the shogunate and ships that ferried Japanese delegations to China.
