Japan
During the Asuka Period (AD 538–710), Japan was organized into five provinces and seven circuits, known as the Gokishichidō (5 kin 7 dō), as part of a legal and governmental system borrowed from the Chinese. Though these units did not survive as administrative structures beyond the Muromachi Period (1336–1573), they did remain important geographical entities up until the 19th century. The seven circuits spread over the islands of Honshū, Shikoku, and Kyūshū:
- Tōkaidō (東海道) "East Sea Circuit": 15 provinces (kuni)
- Nankaidō (南海道) "South Sea Circuit": 6 provinces
- Saikaidō (西海道) "West Sea Circuit": 8 provinces
- Hokurikudō (北陸道) "North Land Circuit": 7 provinces
- San'indō (山陰道) "Shaded-side Circuit": 8 provinces
- San'yōdō (山陽道) "Sunny-side Circuit": 8 provinces
- Tōsandō (東山道) "East Mountain Circuit": 13 provinces
In the mid-19th century, the northern island of Ezo was settled, and renamed Hokkaidō (北海道?, "North Sea Circuit"). It is currently the only prefecture of Japan named with the dō (circuit) suffix.
Read more about this topic: Circuit (administrative Division)
Famous quotes containing the word japan:
“I do not know that the United States can save civilization but at least by our example we can make people think and give them the opportunity of saving themselves. The trouble is that the people of Germany, Italy and Japan are not given the privilege of thinking.”
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)