鹿児島
Kagoshima
鹿児島 · かごしま
Prefecture
Kyushu
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Deer Child Island"
True Etymology
The name means 'deer' (鹿) + 'child' (児) + 'island' (島). The origin is debated. One theory holds that the name derives from an ancient word where 'kago' meant 'basket' or 'enclosure,' describing the sheltered bay. Another suggests it references a place where deer were plentiful.
Alternative Theory
A leading theory connects 'kago' to 'kakushi' or an Austronesian substrate language, suggesting a pre-Yamato name for the bay area. The deer and child characters were applied phonetically. The island (shima) reference likely denotes the Satsuma Peninsula projecting into the bay.
Key Facts
| Capital | Kagoshima City |
|---|---|
| Region | Kyushu |
| Reading | かごしま |
| Pre-Meiji Domains | Satsuma Domain, Ōsumi Domain |
| Domain Lords | Shimazu clan (島津氏) |
| Established | 1871-present |