Kinai Circuit Provinces
5 entries — explore the kanji meanings and true etymologies.
山城
Province
Kinai
Yamashiro Province
山城国 (やましろ)
Literal: "Mountain Castle"
The name means 'mountain castle' or 'mountain behind' (山, yama = mountain; 城, shiro = castle/behind). The province sat b…
大和
Province
Kinai
Yamato Province
大和国 (やまと)
Literal: "Great Harmony"
Yamato (大和) is one of Japan's most ancient place names and the origin word for Japan itself. The characters mean 'great …
河内
Province
Kinai
Kawachi Province
河内国 (かわち)
Literal: "Inside the River"
The name means 'inside the river' or 'river interior' (河, river + 内, inside/within). The province occupied the low-lying…
和泉
Province
Kinai
Izumi Province
和泉国 (いずみ)
Literal: "Harmonious Spring"
The name combines 'wa' (和, harmony/Japan) and 'izumi' (泉, spring/fountain). The province was known for its freshwater sp…
摂津
Province
Kinai
Settsu Province
摂津国 (せっつ)
Literal: "Governing Harbor"
The name is interpreted as 'governing' (摂, setsu = to govern/administer) and 'harbor/port' (津, tsu = harbor). Settsu con…