Sanyodo Circuit Provinces
8 entries — explore the kanji meanings and true etymologies.
播磨
Province
Sanyodo
Harima Province
播磨国 (はりま)
Literal: "Spreading Rub"
The characters mean 'to spread/broadcast' (播) and 'to rub/grind' (磨), but these are phonetic. 'Harima' predates the char…
美作
Province
Sanyodo
Mimasaka Province
美作国 (みまさか)
Literal: "Beautiful Work/Making"
The characters mean 'beautiful' (美) and 'to make/work' (作). The name may reference skilled craftwork produced in the reg…
備前
Province
Sanyodo
Bizen Province
備前国 (びぜん)
Literal: "Front Preparation"
Like Bitchū (middle) and Bingo (back), Bizen (備前) means 'front Kibi'—the section of the ancient Kibi region closest to t…
備中
Province
Sanyodo
Bitchu Province
備中国 (びっちゅう)
Literal: "Middle Preparation"
Bitchū (備中) means 'middle Kibi,' the central section of the ancient Kibi territory between Bizen (front) and Bingo (back…
備後
Province
Sanyodo
Bingo Province
備後国 (びんご)
Literal: "Behind Preparation"
Bingo (備後) means 'behind Kibi'—the rearmost section of the ancient Kibi kingdom, furthest from the capital. The three-pa…
安芸
Province
Sanyodo
Aki Province
安芸国 (あき)
Literal: "Peaceful Skilled"
The characters mean 'peaceful' (安) and 'skilled/artisan' (芸), but these are likely phonetic. 'Aki' may derive from a pre…
周防
Province
Sanyodo
Suo Province
周防国 (すおう)
Literal: "Surrounding Defense"
The characters mean 'surrounding/encircling' (周) and 'defense/protection' (防). The name may reference the natural defens…
長門
Province
Sanyodo
Nagato Province
長門国 (ながと)
Literal: "Long Gate"
The characters mean 'long' (長) and 'gate/entrance' (門). The name describes the province's position as the long gateway b…