former city, Iwate ken (prefecture), Japan; in 2006 it merged with a number of surrounding municipalities to form the new city of Ōshū. It lies in the valley of the Kitakami River. Established as a fort to exterminate the aboriginal Ainu peoples in the northern frontier of ancient Japan (c. 802), it later developed as a castle town along the Ōwu Highway during the Edo (Tokugawa) period (1603–1867). The city was a commercial centre for agricultural products such as rice, apples, and dairy products, as well as for traditional cast metalware produced in the Kitakami valley. It was also internationally known as the location of the Mizusawa Latitude Observation Station (39°08′34″ N). Pop. (2005) Ōshū city, 130,171.