播磨
Harima Province
播磨国 · はりま
Province
Sanyodo Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Spreading Rub"
True Etymology
The characters mean 'to spread/broadcast' (播) and 'to rub/grind' (磨), but these are phonetic. 'Harima' predates the characters and likely derives from a pre-Yamato word. The province contained Himeji, site of Japan's most celebrated castle.
Alternative Theory
Harima was one of the most prosperous provinces of western Honshu, producing rice, textiles, and craft goods. The Harima Fudoki (713 CE) is one of Japan's oldest regional gazetteers, providing detailed information about the province's geography and customs.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Sanyodo |
|---|---|
| Reading | はりま |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |