上総
Kazusa Province
上総国 · かずさ
Province
Tokaido Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Upper総"
True Etymology
The name derives from the ancient province of 'Fusa' (総), which was divided into Upper Fusa (上総, Kazusa) and Lower Fusa (下総, Shimōsa). 'Fusa' may mean 'tassel' or 'fringe,' describing the peninsula's geographic extremity. 'Upper' and 'Lower' refer to proximity to the capital.
Alternative Theory
Paradoxically, 'Upper' Kazusa (上総) is geographically south of 'Lower' Shimōsa (下総) on the Boso Peninsula. The upper/lower designation follows ancient administrative logic based on distance from the capital: closer to Kyoto = 'upper,' further = 'lower.'
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Tokaido |
|---|---|
| Reading | かずさ |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |