Hokurikudo Circuit Provinces
7 entries — explore the kanji meanings and true etymologies.
若狭
Province
Hokurikudo
Wakasa Province
若狭国 (わかさ)
Literal: "Young/New Narrow"
The characters mean 'young' (若) and 'narrow' (狭). The name may describe the small, narrow coastal plain of Obama Bay—a '…
越前
Province
Hokurikudo
Echizen Province
越前国 (えちぜん)
Literal: "Before the Crossing"
The name derives from 'Koshi' (越, crossing/surpassing), the ancient name for the entire Sea of Japan coastal region. Ech…
加賀
Province
Hokurikudo
Kaga Province
加賀国 (かが)
Literal: "Add Congratulations"
The characters mean 'add/increase' (加) and 'congratulations/celebration' (賀), likely phonetic. The name 'Kaga' predates …
能登
Province
Hokurikudo
Noto Province
能登国 (のと)
Literal: "Capable/Talented Ascent"
The characters mean 'capable/talented' (能) and 'to ascend/climb' (登), but these are phonetic. The name 'Noto' likely der…
越中
Province
Hokurikudo
Etchu Province
越中国 (えっちゅう)
Literal: "Middle Crossing"
Like Echizen (front) and Echigo (back), Etchū (越中) means 'middle Koshi,' the central section of the ancient Sea of Japan…
越後
Province
Hokurikudo
Echigo Province
越後国 (えちご)
Literal: "Behind the Crossing"
Echigo (越後) means 'behind/back Koshi'—the furthest section of the old Sea of Japan coastal region from the capital. Of t…
佐渡
Province
Hokurikudo
Sado Province
佐渡国 (さど)
Literal: "Help Cross"
The characters mean 'help/assist' (佐) and 'to cross/ford' (渡), but these are phonetic for an island name of uncertain or…