埼玉
Saitama
埼玉 · さいたま
Prefecture
Kanto
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Cape of Jewels"
True Etymology
The original form was 'Sakitama' (前玉 or 埼玉), meaning 'cape of jewels' or 'foreland of jewels.' The 'saki' (埼) refers to a cape or projecting land, and 'tama' (玉) means jewel or sphere. The Sakitama ancient burial mounds (行田市) are believed to be the origin point of the name.
Alternative Theory
Some scholars interpret 'tama' not as jewels but as a sacred or divine object, suggesting 'Sakitama' meant 'divine cape.' The name later contracted from 'Sakitama' to 'Saitama' through phonetic shift.
Key Facts
| Capital | Saitama City |
|---|---|
| Region | Kanto |
| Reading | さいたま |
| Pre-Meiji Domains | Kawagoe Domain, Kishiwada Domain, Ogino Domain |
| Domain Lords | Matsudaira clan (松平氏), Honda clan (本多氏) |
| Established | 1871-present |