BIWA  , a

lake in the province of Omi, Japan . It measures 36 m. in length by 12 m. in extreme breadth, has an area of 18o sq. m., is about 330 ft. above sea-level, and has an extreme depth of some 300 ft . There are a few small islands in the lake, the principal being Chikubu-shima at the northern end . . Tradition alleges that Lake Biwa and the mountain of Fuji were produced simultaneously by an earthquake in 286 B.C . On the west of the lake the mountains Hiei-zan and Hira-yama slope down almost to its margin, and on the east a wide plain extends towards the boundaries of the province of Mino . It is drained by a river flowing out of its southern end, and taking its course into the sea at Osaka . This river bears in succession the names of Seta gawa, Uji-gawa and Yodo-gawa . The lake abounds with fish, and the beauty of its scenery is remarkable . Small steamboats ply constantly to the points of chief interest, and around its shores are to be viewed the Omi-no-hakkei, or " eight landscapes of Omi "; namely, the lake ;silvering under an autumn moon as one looks down from Ishi-yama; the snow at eve on Hira-yama; the glow of sunset at Seta; the groves and classic temple of Mii-dera as the evening bell sounds; boats sailing home from Yabase; cloudless peaks at Awazu; rain at nightfall over Karasaki; and wild geese sweeping down to Katata .. The lake is connected with Kyoto by a canal constructed in 189o, and is thus brought into water communication with Osaka .