Kyojima and Yajima used to be two separate islands, but they are now a single island joined by land. Due to a great earthquake in 1802, they were joined together by a huge upheaval of land. Though the origin story can vary, even Sado Island were two separate islands known as Osado and Kosado. But over many years, the sediment piled up, making them into one island.

The reason that this island is called Kyojima comes from a story related to Nichiren.

Nichiren was a monk who angered the Kamakura Shogunate for his preaching of the Lotus Sutra and was exiled to Sado Island. After about two years and three months of his drifter lifestyle, he was pardoned, but his disciple who was carrying the pardon was caught in a storm and washed up on Kyojima. Through the dark night, Nichiren focused on nothing but reciting his sutras and when dawn broke, the chief priest of a nearby temple found him and saved him.

Typically pardons were delivered by government officials. As such, the story of his disciple bringing the letter of pardon to him may have too much historical accuracy. It may simply be a story that came out of his disciple’s strong belief in Nichiren.

Yajima on the other hand was said to have provided the bamboo that was forged into the arrows to take down the Nue Yokai. The two islands combining may show how the past and present seemingly overlap.