飛騨
Hida Province
飛騨国 · ひだ
Province
Tosando Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Flying Horseman"
True Etymology
The characters mean 'flying' (飛) and 'horseman/cavalryman' (騨). These are likely phonetic, though the imagery of flying horsemen evokes the mountain terrain. The name 'Hida' may derive from a pre-Yamato word for 'mountain country' or an ancient clan name.
Alternative Theory
Hida was famous for its skilled carpenters (飛騨の匠, Hida no takumi) who helped build Nara's temples in the 8th century. The rugged mountain terrain of Hida, despite its remote location, produced craftsmen of exceptional skill—a heritage celebrated in the modern tourist destination of Takayama.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Tosando |
|---|---|
| Reading | ひだ |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |