View source for Provinces of Japan

{{short description|Previous first-level administrative divisions of Japan}}
{{distinguish|text = the modern [[prefectures of Japan]]}}

[[Image:Map of Japan in Provinces in time of Iyeyasu.jpg|375px|thumb|The Provinces of Japan {{Circa|1600}} Hiking, from Murdoch and Yamagata published in 1903]]

{{nihongo|'''Provinces of Japan'''|令制国|Ryōseikoku}} were first-level [[administrative division]]s of [[Japan]] from the 600s to 1868.

Provinces were established in Japan in the late 7th century under the [[Ritsuryō]] law system that formed the first [[central government]]. Each province was divided into {{nihongo|[[districts of Japan|district]]s|郡|gun}} and grouped into one of the geographic regions or [[Circuit (administrative division)|circuits]] known as the ''[[Gokishichidō]]'' (Five Home Provinces and Seven Circuits). Provincial borders often changed until the end of the [[Nara period]] (710 to 794), but remained unchanged from the [[Heian period]] (794 to 1185) until the [[Edo period]] (1603 to 1868). The provinces coexisted with the ''[[Han system|han]]'' (domain) system, the personal estates of [[feudal]] lords and warriors, and became secondary to the domains in the late [[Muromachi period]] (1336 to 1573). 

The Provinces of Japan were replaced with the current [[Prefectures of Japan|prefecture system]] in the ''[[Fuhanken sanchisei]]'' during the [[Meiji Restoration]] from 1868 to 1871, except for [[Hokkaido]], which was [[Former provinces of Hokkaido|divided into provinces]] from 1869 to 1882. No order has ever been issued explicitly abolishing the provinces, but they are considered [[obsolete]] as administrative units. The provinces are still used in general conversation, especially in navigation and transportation, and referenced in products and geographical features of the prefectures covering their former territories.

==History==
[[image:Japan prov map701.png|thumb|Provinces of Japan in 701–702 during the [[Asuka period]]. The northern half of the modern [[Tōhoku region]] of [[Honshu]] is unorganized.]]

The provinces were originally established by the [[Ritsuryō]] reforms as both administrative units and geographic regions. From the late [[Muromachi period]],  however, they were gradually supplanted by the domains of the ''[[Sengoku period|sengoku]] [[daimyō]]''. Under the rule of [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]] during Azuchi–Momoyama period, the provinces were supplemented as primary local administrative units. The local ''daimyōs''{{'}} [[fief]]s were developed.{{clarify|reason="developed", meaning what?|date=December 2016}}<ref>[[Jeffrey Mass|Mass, Jeffrey P.]] and William B. Hauser. (1987). [https://books.google.com/books?id=Hv99D510nHcC&pg=PA150 ''The Bakufu in Japanese History,'' p. 150].</ref>

===Edo period===
In the [[Edo period]], the fiefs became known as ''han''. Imperial provinces and shogunal domains made up complementary systems.  For example, when the shōgun ordered a daimyō to make a census or to make maps, the work was organized in terms of the boundaries of the provincial ''kuni''.<ref>Roberts, Luke S. (2002). [https://books.google.com/books?id=aAeQREc0vz0C&pg=PA6 ''Mercantilism in a Japanese Domain: the merchant origins of economic nationalism in 18th-century Tosa'', p. 6]; excerpt, "Imperial provinces "remained on the cultural map as commonly used definers of territorial regions called ''kuni'' ...  because when the shogun ordered populations registers and maps to be made, he had them organized along the borders of the provincial ''kuni''.  This has been interpreted as important evidence of the shogun's styled role as a servant of the emperor, one of the important means by which he legitimized his authority."</ref>

===Meiji period===
At the [[Meiji Restoration]], the ''han'' were legitimized as administrative units by the reform known as the [[Fuhanken Sanchisei]], but they were gradually replaced by prefectures between 1868 and 1871 (urban prefectures were called ''fu'' and rural prefectures ''ken''). Provinces as part of the system of addresses were not abolished but, on the contrary, augmented. As of 1871, the number of prefectures was 304, while the number of provinces was 68, not including [[Hokkaidō]] or the [[Ryūkyū Islands]]. The boundaries between the many prefectures were not only very complicated, but also did not match those of the provinces. Prefectures were gradually merged to reduce the number to 37 by 1881; a few were then divided to give a total of 45 by 1885. Adding [[Hokkaidō Prefecture|Hokkaidō]] and [[Okinawa Prefecture|Okinawa]] produced the current total of 47 prefectures.

Provinces are classified into [[Kinai]] (in or near the capital, then Kyoto) and seven or eight ''dō'' (routes, or [[circuit (political division)|circuit]]s), collectively known as the ''[[Gokishichidō]]''. However, ''dō'' in this context should not be confused with modern traffic lines such as the [[Tōkaidō (road)|Tōkaidō]] from [[Tokyo]] to [[Kyoto]] or [[Kobe]]. Also, ''Hokkaidō'' in this context should not be confused with [[Hokkaidō Prefecture]], although these two overlap geographically.

===Today===
[[Image:Ancient_Provinces_of_Japan_Ryoseikoku_Map.png |thumb|300px|List of provinces of Japan including [[Hokkaido]] and the districts of [[Mutsu Province]] and [[Dewa Province]]]]
No order has ever been issued explicitly abolishing the provinces, but they are considered obsolete. Nevertheless, their names are still widely used in names of natural features, company names, and brands. These province names are considered to be mainly of historical interest. They are also used for the names of items, including [[family name]]s, most of which were popularized in or after the [[Edo period]]. Examples include [[udon|sanuki udon]], [[iyokan]], [[Tosa (dog)|tosa ken]], [[Chikuzenni]], and [[Awa Odori|awa odori]]. [[Japan Railways Group|Japan Railways]] and other railway companies also use them in station names to distinguish between similarly named stations in other prefectures, such as [[Musashi-Kosugi Station]]. The same is true for some city names, for example to distinguish [[Yamatokōriyama|Yamato-Kōriyama, Nara]] from [[Koriyama, Fukushima|Kōriyama, Fukushima]]. Simplified names of provinces (''-shū'') are also used, such as Shinshū [[soba]] and [[Kishu|Kishū dog]].

Some of the province names are used to indicate distinct parts of the current prefectures along with their cultural and geographical characteristics. In many cases these names are also in use with directional characters, e.g. {{nihongo|Hoku-Setsu|北摂}} meaning {{nihongo|Northern|北}} {{nihongo|Settsu|摂津}} area.

The [[Districts of Japan|districts]] are still considered prefectural subdivisions, but following mergers or divisions of the provinces they may be shared among several prefectures (such as the original Adachi District of [[Musashi Province|Musashi]], which is now divided between [[Adachi, Tokyo|Adachi Ward]] in [[Tokyo]] and [[Kitaadachi District, Saitama|Kita-Adachi District]] in [[Saitama Prefecture|Saitama]]). Many of these old provincial districts have been dissolved as their chief towns have been merged into larger cities or towns. See individual prefecture pages for mergers and abolitions of districts.

{{anchor|List of provinces of ancient Japan}}The following list is based on the {{nihongo|[[Gokishichidō]]|五畿七道}}, which includes short-lived provinces. Provinces located within [[Hokkaidō]] are listed last.

=={{nihongo|Goki|五畿|Five Provinces in Capital Region}}==
[[Image:Gokishichido.svg|thumb|300px|Map of the [[Gokishichidō]] divisions with their respective regions. Hokkaidō and its provinces are not included; in 1869, when Hokkaidō was included, it was called Gokihachidō.
{|style="border: 1px solid #F9F9F9; background: #F9F9F9"
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #FFC109; width: 25%;"|[[Kinai]]
|-
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #FF9D9D; width: 25%;"|[[Tōkaidō (region)|Tōkaidō]]
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #FFDDBB; width: 25%;"|[[Tōsandō]]
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #EAEAEA; width: 25%;"|[[Hokurikudō]]
|-
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #DFDFFF; width: 25%;"|[[San'indō]]
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #F5FD95; width: 25%;"|[[San'yōdō]]
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #DCE0C0; width: 25%;"|[[Nankaidō]]
|-
|align=center style="BACKGROUND: #F0E1E1; width: 25%;"|[[Saikaidō]]
|}]]

==={{nihongo|Kinai|畿内|Capital Region}}===
{{Further|Kinai}}

*{{nihongo|[[Yamashiro Province|Yamashiro]] (Jōshū, Sanshū, Yōshū)|山城国 (城州, 山州, 雍州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Yamato Province|Yamato]] (Washū)|大和国 (和州)}}
**{{circa|716|738}}
***{{nihongo|[[Yamato Province|Yamato]]|大和国}}
***{{nihongo|[[Yoshino Province|Yoshino]]|芳野監}}
*{{nihongo|[[Kawachi Province|Kawachi]] (Kashū)|河内国 (河州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Izumi Province|Izumi]] (Senshū)|和泉国 (泉州)}} - Created in 716 from Kawachi Province as {{nihongo|'''Izumi Gen'''|和泉監}}. Although occupied by Kawachi Province in 740, in 757 the province divided again from Kawachi Province.
*{{nihongo|[[Settsu Province|Settsu]] (Sesshū)|摂津国 (摂州)}}

=={{nihongo|Shichidō|七道|Seven Circuits}}==

==={{nihongo|Tōkaidō|東海道|East Sea Circuit}}===
{{Further|Tōkaidō (region)}}

*{{nihongo|[[Iga Province|Iga]] (Ishū)|伊賀国 (伊州)}} – separated from Ise Province in 680
*{{nihongo|[[Ise Province|Ise]] (Seishū)|伊勢国 (勢州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Shima Province|Shima]] (Shishū)|志摩国 (志州)}} – separated from Ise Province at the beginning of the 8th century
*{{nihongo|[[Owari Province|Owari]] (Bishū)|尾張国 (尾州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Mikawa Province|Mikawa]] (Sanshū)|三河国 (三州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Tōtōmi Province|Tōtōmi]] (Enshū)|遠江国 (遠州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Suruga Province|Suruga]] (Sunshū)|駿河国 (駿州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Izu Province|Izu]] (Zushū)|伊豆国 (豆州)}} – separated from Suruga Province in 680
*{{nihongo|[[Kai Province|Kai]] (Kōshū)|甲斐国 (甲州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Sagami Province|Sagami]] (Sōshū)|相模国 (相州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Musashi Province|Musashi]] (Bushū)|武蔵国 (武州)}} – Transferred from Tōsandō to Tōkaidō in 771
*{{nihongo|[[Awa Province (Chiba)|Awa]] (Bōshū, Anshū)|安房国 (房州, 安州)}} – Divided from Kazusa Province in 718. Although re-joined to Kazusa Province in 741, separated from Kazusa Province again in 781
*{{nihongo|[[Kazusa Province|Kazusa]] (Sōshū)|上総国 (総州)}} – divided from {{nihongo|[[Fusa Province]]|総国}} in the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Shimōsa Province|Shimōsa]] (Sōshū)|下総国 (総州)}} – divided from Fusa Province in the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Hitachi Province|Hitachi]] (Jōshū)|常陸国 (常州)}}

==={{nihongo|Tōsandō|東山道|East Mountain Circuit}}===
{{Further|Tōsandō}}

*{{nihongo|[[Ōmi Province|Ōmi]] (Gōshū)|近江国 (江州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Mino Province|Mino]] (Nōshū)|美濃国 (濃州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Hida Province|Hida]] (Hishū)|飛騨国 (飛州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Shinano Province|Shinano]] (Shinshū)|信濃国 (信州)}}
**from 721 to 731
***{{nihongo|[[Suwa Province|Suwa]]|諏訪国}}
***{{nihongo|[[Shinano Province|Shinano]]|信濃国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Kōzuke Province|Kōzuke]] (Jōshū)|上野国 (上州)}} – divided from {{nihongo|[[Keno Province]]|毛野国}} during the 4th century
*{{nihongo|[[Shimotsuke Province|Shimotsuke]] (Yashū)|下野国 (野州)}} – divided from Keno Province during the 4th century
*{{nihongo|[[Dewa Province|Dewa]] (Ushū)|出羽国 (羽州)}} – broke Dewa District in Echigo Province and create Dewa Province in 712. On October of the same year, Mogami and Okitama Districts in Mutsu Province merged into Dewa Province.
**Since the 1868 breakup
***{{nihongo|[[Uzen Province|Uzen]] (Ushū)|羽前国 (羽州)}}
***{{nihongo|[[Ugo Province|Ugo]] (Ushū)|羽後国 (羽州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Mutsu Province|Mutsu]] (Ōshū, Rikushū)|陸奥国 (奥州, 陸州)}} – split off from Hitachi Province in the 7th century
**718 for several years
***{{nihongo|[[Iwaki Province (718)|Iwaki]]|石城国}}
***{{nihongo|[[Iwase Province|Iwase]]|石背国}}
***{{nihongo|[[Mutsu Province|Mutsu]]|陸奥国}}
**Since the 1868 breakup
***{{nihongo|[[Iwashiro Province|Iwashiro]] (Ganshū)|岩代国 (岩州)}}
***{{nihongo|[[Iwaki Province (1868)|Iwaki]] (Banshū)|磐城国 (磐州)}}
***{{nihongo|[[Rikuchū Province|Rikuchū]] (Rikushū)|陸中国 (陸州)}}
***{{nihongo|[[Rikuzen Province|Rikuzen]] (Rikushū)|陸前国 (陸州)}}
***{{nihongo|[[Mutsu Province (1868)|Mutsu]]|陸奥国}}

==={{nihongo|Hokurikudō|北陸道|North Land Circuit}}===
{{Further|Hokurikudō}}

*{{nihongo|[[Wakasa Province|Wakasa]] (Jakushū)|若狭国 (若州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Echizen Province|Echizen]] (Esshū)|越前国 (越州)}} – broke off from {{nihongo|[[Koshi Province (Japan)|Koshi Province]]|越国}} during the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Kaga Province|Kaga]] (Kashū)|加賀国 (加州)}} – divided from Echizen Province in 823
*{{nihongo|[[Noto Province|Noto]] (Nōshū)|能登国 (能州)}} – divided from Echizen Province in 718. Although occupied by Etchu Province in 741, divided from Etchū Province in 757
*{{nihongo|[[Etchū Province|Etchū]] (Esshū)|越中国 (越州)}} – broke off from Koshi Province during the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Echigo Province|Echigo]] (Esshū)|越後国 (越州)}} – broke off from Koshi Province during the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Sado Province|Sado]] (Sashū, Toshū)|佐渡国 (佐州, 渡州)}} – although occupied by Echigo in 743, divided from Echigo in 752

==={{nihongo|San'indō|山陰道|Mountain's Shady Side Circuit}}===
{{Further|San'indō}}

*{{nihongo|[[Tanba Province|Tanba]] (Tanshū)|丹波国 (丹州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Tango Province|Tango]] (Tanshū)|丹後国 (丹州)}} – divided from Tanba in 713
*{{nihongo|[[Tajima Province|Tajima]] (Tanshū)|但馬国 (但州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Inaba Province|Inaba]] (Inshū)|因幡国 (因州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Hōki Province|Hōki]] (Hakushū)|伯耆国 (伯州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Izumo Province|Izumo]] (Unshū)|出雲国 (雲州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Iwami Province|Iwami]] (Sekishū)|石見国 (石州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Oki Province|Oki]] (Onshū, Inshū)|隠岐国 (隠州)}}

==={{nihongo|San'yōdō|山陽道|Mountain's Sunny Side Circuit}}===
{{Further|San'yōdō}}

*{{nihongo|[[Harima Province|Harima]] (Banshū)|播磨国 (播州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Mimasaka Province|Mimasaka]] (Sakushū)|美作国 (作州)}} – divided from Bizen Province in 713
*{{nihongo|[[Bizen Province|Bizen]] (Bishū)|備前国 (備州)}} – broke off from {{nihongo|[[Kibi Province|Kibi]]|吉備国}} during the 2nd half of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Bitchū Province|Bitchū]] (Bishū)|備中国 (備州)}} – broke off from Kibi Province during the 2nd half of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Bingo Province|Bingo]] (Bishū)|備後国 (備州)}} – broke off from Kibi Province during the 2nd half of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Aki Province|Aki]] (Geishū)|安芸国 (芸州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Suō Province|Suō]] (Bōshū)|周防国 (防州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Nagato Province|Nagato]] (Chōshū)|長門国 (長州)}}

==={{nihongo|Nankaidō|南海道|South Sea Circuit}}===
{{Further|Nankaidō}}

Equivalent to [[Shikoku]] and its surroundings, as well as a nearby area of [[Honshu]]

*{{nihongo|[[Kii Province|Kii]] (Kishū)|紀伊国 (紀州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Awaji Province|Awaji]] (Tanshū)|淡路国 (淡州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Awa Province (Tokushima)|Awa]] (Ashū)|阿波国 (阿州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Sanuki Province|Sanuki]] (Sanshū)|讃岐国 (讃州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Iyo Province|Iyo]] (Yoshū)|伊予国 (予州)}}
*{{nihongo|[[Tosa Province|Tosa]] (Doshū)|土佐国 (土州)}}

==={{nihongo|Saikaidō|西海道|West Sea Circuit}}===
{{Further|Saikaidō}}

Equivalent to [[Kyushu]] and its surroundings

*{{nihongo|[[Buzen Province|Buzen]] (Hōshū)|豊前国 (豊州)}} – broke off from {{nihongo|[[Toyo Province]]|豊国}} at the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Bungo Province|Bungo]] (Hōshū)|豊後国 (豊州)}} – broke off from Toyo Province at the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Chikuzen Province|Chikuzen]] (Chikushū)|筑前国 (筑州)}} – broke off from {{nihongo|[[Tsukushi Province]]|筑紫国}} until the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Chikugo Province|Chikugo]] (Chikushū)|筑後国 (筑州)}} – broke off from Tsukushi Province until the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Hizen Province|Hizen]] (Hishū)|肥前国 (肥州)}} – broke off from {{nihongo|[[Hi Province]]|火国}} until the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Higo Province|Higo]] (Hishū)|肥後国 (肥州)}} – broke off from Hi Province until the end of the 7th century
*{{nihongo|[[Hyūga Province|Hyūga]] (Nisshū, Kōshū)|日向国 (日州, 向州)}} – earlier called {{nihongo|[[Kumaso|Kumaso Province]]|熊曾国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Ōsumi Province|Ōsumi]] (Gūshū)|大隅国 (隅州)}} – divided from Hyūga Province in 713
**From 702 to 824
***{{nihongo|[[Ōsumi Province|Ōsumi]]|大隅国}}
***{{nihongo|[[Tane Province|Tane]]|多褹国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Satsuma Province|Satsuma]] (Sasshū)|薩摩国 (薩州)}} – divided from Hyūga Province in 702
*{{nihongo|[[Iki Province|Iki]] (Isshū)|壱岐国 (壱州)}} – officially {{nihongo|'''Iki no Shima'''|壱岐嶋}}
*{{nihongo|[[Tsushima Province|Tsushima]] (Taishū)|対馬国 (対州)}} – officially {{nihongo|'''Tsushima no Shima'''|対馬嶋}}

=={{nihongo|Hachidō|八道|Eight Circuits}}==
[[File:Hokkaido in Japan (claimed hatched).svg|300px|thumb|[[Hokkaidō]] in red]]
==={{nihongo|Hokkaidō|北海道|North Sea Circuit}}===
Equivalent to [[Hokkaido]] and its surroundings. Originally known as the [[Ezo|Ezo Region]], before being renamed and organized as [[Former Provinces of Hokkaidō|11 provinces]] (1869–1882).

*{{nihongo|[[Oshima Province|Oshima]]|渡島国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Shiribeshi Province|Shiribeshi]]|後志国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Iburi Province|Iburi]]|胆振国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Ishikari Province|Ishikari]]|石狩国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Teshio Province|Teshio]]|天塩国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Kitami Province|Kitami]]|北見国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Hidaka Province|Hidaka]]|日高国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Tokachi Province|Tokachi]]|十勝国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Kushiro Province|Kushiro]]|釧路国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Nemuro Province|Nemuro]]|根室国}}
*{{nihongo|[[Chishima Province|Chishima]]|千島国}} - After the [[Treaty of Saint Petersburg (1875)]], Japan added north of [[Urup]] Island and placed {{nihongo|Uruppu|得撫郡}}, {{nihongo|Shimushiru|新知郡}}, and {{nihongo|Shumushu|占守郡}} Districts.

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
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| File:Provinces of Japan.svg  
 | alt1=
 | Borders of the provinces from the [[Kamakura period]] until 1868
| File:1855_Colton_Map_of_Japan_-_Geographicus_-_Japan-colton-1855.jpg
 | alt2=
 | Map of Japan at the end of the [[Edo period]] published in the [[United States]] in 1855
| File:1880s Meiji Japanese Folding Map of Japan - Geographicus - Japan-meiji-1880.jpg
 | alt3=
 | [[Meiji period]] map of Japan's provinces from c. 1880s, after their replacement with the [[Prefectures of Japan|prefectures]]
| File:
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}}

==See also==
* [[Code of Taihō]]
* [[Magiri]]
* [[Kokushi (officials)]]
* [[Demographics of Japan before Meiji Restoration]]
* [[Ritsuryō]]
* [[Han (administrative division)]]
* [[Samurai]]

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* [[Louis-Frédéric|Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric]] and Käthe Roth. (2005). [https://books.google.com/books?id=p2QnPijAEmEC  ''Japan encyclopedia.''] Cambridge: [[Harvard University Press]]. {{ISBN|978-0-674-01753-5}}; [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/58053128?referer=di&ht=edition  OCLC 58053128]

==External links==
{{commons|Maps of the former provinces of Japan}}
Detailed maps of the provinces at different times can be found at:
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130520064406/http://www.maproom.org/00/05/index.php maproom.org] 
* [http://www.samurai-archives.com samurai archives]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070129130933/http://nihonsinwa.at.infoseek.co.jp/data/map.htm#map 古事記における旧国名・国境 (律令制以前)]
* [http://www.geocities.jp/wuyongdeye/tables/5ki8dau.html 五畿八道]

{{Japan Old Province}}

[[Category:Former provinces of Japan| ]]