相模
Sagami Province
相模国 · さがみ
Province
Tokaido Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Mutual Model"
True Etymology
The characters mean 'mutual' (相) and 'model/pattern' (模), but these are phonetic. The origin of 'Sagami' is uncertain. One theory connects it to 'sagashi' (険し, steep/rugged), describing the mountainous terrain. Another derives it from a pre-Yamato word for the coastal plain.
Alternative Theory
Kamakura, within Sagami Province, became Japan's first samurai capital in 1185. The name 'Sagami' thus became associated with the birth of samurai governance, carrying historical weight far beyond its uncertain geographic etymology.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Tokaido |
|---|---|
| Reading | さがみ |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |