駿河
Suruga Province
駿河国 · するが
Province
Tokaido Circuit
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Swift River"
True Etymology
The characters suggest 'swift horse' (駿) and 'river' (河), but the name is largely phonetic. One theory derives 'suruga' from 'suru' (する, to do/move swiftly) combined with 'ga/ka' (river), suggesting fast-flowing rivers. The region's rivers, fed by Mount Fuji's snowmelt, are notably swift.
Alternative Theory
Another theory connects the name to the Surugi or Suruga clan, ancient inhabitants. The horse character (駿) may have been chosen for its positive connotation—swift horses symbolized power—once a phonetically matching character was needed.
Key Facts
| Circuit (道) | Tokaido |
|---|---|
| Reading | するが |
| Active Period | Ancient-1868 |