讃岐
Sanuki Province
讃岐国 · さぬき
Province
Nankido Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Praising the Cape"
True Etymology
The characters mean 'to praise/admire' (讃) and 'cape/promontory' (岐). The name may reference a celebrated headland or cape in the province. Alternatively, it is largely phonetic for a pre-Yamato topographic name.
Alternative Theory
Sanuki is most famous for Sanuki udon, thick wheat noodles that have become a symbol of Kagawa Prefecture. The province was also the birthplace of Kūkai (空海, Kōbō Daishi), the founder of Shingon Buddhism—one of Japan's most influential religious figures.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Nankido |
|---|---|
| Reading | さぬき |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |