豊前
Buzen Province
豊前国 · ぶぜん
Province
Saikido Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Front Abundance"
True Etymology
Like Bungo (behind), Buzen (豊前) means 'front Toyo/Bu'—the coastal section of the ancient Toyokuni territory. 'Toyo' (豊) means 'abundant/rich,' and Buzen was the abundant coastal province facing the Seto Inland Sea.
Alternative Theory
Buzen contained the Usa Shrine (宇佐神宮), one of Japan's most important Shinto shrines dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war. The 'front abundance' province was thus both geographically accessible and religiously significant.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Saikido |
|---|---|
| Reading | ぶぜん |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |