Jan 11, 2010 – Transfiguration Cathedral on Kizhi Island, Karelia, Russia – Ellen Rooney / Getty Images

Kikai Island is the historical island that Shunkan, Taira no Yasuyori, and Fujiwara no Naritsune were exiled to following the Shishigatani Incident in 1177. It belonged to Satsuma Province.

According to a description in Heike Monogatari:

Boats rarely passed, and people were scare. Residents were dark colored and their words were incomprehensible. Men did not were eboshi, and women did not wear their hair down. There were no farmers or grain, not even clothing. In the center of the island was a tall mountain, and it was constantly in flames. Due to the large amounts of sulfur, the island was also known as Sulfur Island.

In 1178, Yasuyori and Naritsune are pardoned and return to the capital. However, Shunkan alone is not pardoned and remained on the island alone until death.