徳島
Tokushima
徳島 · とくしま
Prefecture
Shikoku
Kanji Literal Meaning
"Virtue Island"
True Etymology
The name combines 'toku' (徳, virtue/moral excellence) and 'shima' (島, island). The castle town was established by Hachisuka Iemasa in 1586 on a low-lying delta island in the Yoshino River. The name 'Virtue Island' was likely chosen for its auspicious connotation rather than geographic description.
Alternative Theory
Before the castle was built, the area was known as 'Wajima' or local names. The name 'Tokushima' was a deliberate renaming by the Hachisuka clan to confer prestige on their new domain capital.
Key Facts
| Capital | Tokushima City |
|---|---|
| Region | Shikoku |
| Reading | とくしま |
| Pre-Meiji Domains | Tokushima Domain (Awa Domain) |
| Domain Lords | Hachisuka clan (蜂須賀氏) |
| Established | 1871-present |