Shikoku Prefectures
4 entries — explore the kanji meanings and true etymologies.
徳島
Prefecture
Shikoku
Tokushima
徳島 (とくしま)
Literal: "Virtue Island"
The name combines 'toku' (徳, virtue/moral excellence) and 'shima' (島, island). The castle town was established by Hachis…
香川
Prefecture
Shikoku
Kagawa
香川 (かがわ)
Literal: "Fragrant River"
The name means 'fragrant river' (香 = fragrance/aroma, 川 = river). The origin likely refers to a river whose clear, pure …
愛媛
Prefecture
Shikoku
Ehime
愛媛 (えひめ)
Literal: "Beloved Princess"
The name derives directly from Japanese mythology. In the Kojiki (712 CE), the land deity of Shikoku's western region is…
高知
Prefecture
Shikoku
Kochi
高知 (こうち)
Literal: "High Land/Wisdom"
The current characters mean 'high' (高) and 'wisdom/knowledge' (知), but these are ateji. The name derives from 'Kawachi' …