尾張
Owari Province
尾張国 · おわり
Province
Tokaido Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Tail/End Weaving"
True Etymology
The characters mean 'tail' (尾) and 'to weave/stretch' (張), but the name is phonetic. 'Owari' in ancient Japanese meant 'end' or 'terminus,' referring to the province's position at the western edge of the Tokaido region. It was the 'end of the road' for the eastern circuit.
Alternative Theory
The 'end' meaning aligns with Owari's geographic position: beyond it lay the Kinai heartland. The province became the home of Oda Nobunaga and was the birthplace of Japan's unification in the 16th century, giving 'Owari' a historically charged legacy.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Tokaido |
|---|---|
| Reading | おわり |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |