広島
Hiroshima
広島 · ひろしま
Prefecture
Chugoku
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Wide Island"
True Etymology
The name means 'wide' or 'broad' (広) island (島). The city was founded in 1589 by Mōri Terumoto on a delta of the Ōta River, whose multiple channels created a broad, flat island suitable for a castle town. The name describes the geography of this expansive river delta.
Alternative Theory
The name was given by Fukushima Masanori, who oversaw construction of Hiroshima Castle. The broad river delta—wider than any single island—made 'Hiroshima' both descriptive and distinctive.
Key Facts
| Capital | Hiroshima City |
|---|---|
| Region | Chugoku |
| Reading | ひろしま |
| Pre-Meiji Domains | Hiroshima Domain, Fukuyama Domain |
| Domain Lords | Asano clan (浅野氏), Abe clan (阿部氏) |
| Established | 1871-present |