伊予
Iyo Province
伊予国 · いよ
Province
Nankido Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"That Beforehand"
True Etymology
The characters 伊 (that) and 予 (beforehand/I) are phonetic. The name 'Iyo' predates the characters and derives from a pre-Yamato word of uncertain meaning. In mythology (Kojiki), the land deity of this region is called 'Iyo-hime' (伊予比売).
Alternative Theory
Iyo Province contains Dōgo Onsen, one of Japan's oldest hot spring bathhouses (over 3,000 years old), and Matsuyama Castle. The province's name, despite its uncertain etymology, carries the weight of Japan's earliest historical records.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Nankido |
|---|---|
| Reading | いよ |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |