岩手
Iwate
岩手 · いわて
Prefecture
Tohoku
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Rocky Hand"
True Etymology
Legend holds that a demon (oni) terrorized the region until a deity pressed the demon's hand into a large rock, leaving a handprint. This 'rock with a hand-mark' gave the area its name. The story appears in local records from the Heian period.
Alternative Theory
An alternative theory derives the name from 'iwade' (言わで), meaning 'unspeakable,' referring to a sacred area where speech was forbidden. The 'rocky hand' legend is, however, the most widely cited origin.
Key Facts
| Capital | Morioka |
|---|---|
| Region | Tohoku |
| Reading | いわて |
| Pre-Meiji Domains | Morioka Domain (Nanbu Domain) |
| Domain Lords | Nanbu clan (南部氏) |
| Established | 1871-present |