因幡
Inaba Province
因幡国 · いなば
Province
Sanindo Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Because of Feathers"
True Etymology
The characters mean 'because/reason' (因) and 'feathers' (幡, actually 'banner'). The name is phonetic for 'Inaba,' which appears in Japanese mythology as the site of the 'White Hare of Inaba' (因幡の白兎) story in the Kojiki—one of Japan's oldest narratives. The province's mythological significance predates its administrative name.
Alternative Theory
The White Hare of Inaba story features the hare being tricked by crocodiles (wani) into losing its fur, then healed by the god Ōkuninushi. This ancient myth embedded 'Inaba' in Japanese cultural memory long before the province was formally established.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Sanindo |
|---|---|
| Reading | いなば |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |