Tōhoku region

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Map of Japan with Tōhoku region highlighted in dark green

The Tōhoku region (東北地方 Tōhoku-chihō?) is one of Japan's traditional regions.[1] The Japanese conventions of geography and history divide the nation into eight regions, including the Tōhoku region.[2] These have been used since 1905 as basic units for description and comparison[3] and as cultural markers.

The regions of Japan are a fusion of historical divisions and modern administrative needs.[4] The significance of the region in Japan is geographical, cultural and administrative.[5]

Contents

History [change]

In the late 7th century, the Tōsandō region were identified as one of the eight largest administrative areas of the Imperial system (ritsuryo seido).

Gokishichidō is an ancient system of names for parts of the country, including Tōsandō.[6] Tōhoku covers the northern area of the island of Honshū[7] in roughly the same area as the traditional Tōsandō.

In the Meiji period, the modern regional system was made by Imperial decree. Japan was divided into regions (chihō), including the Tōhoku region. A regional council (chihō gyōsei kyōgisai) was headed by the governor of the most powerful prefecture in the regional grouping. The council also included regional chiefs of central government ministries.[8]

Table: Tōhoku region [change]

Province Province capital Gokishichido.svg
Pre-modern regions		 Prefecture Prefecture capital Regions and Prefectures of Japan 2.png
Regions today		 Notes
Hida Tōsandō Gifu capital city Chūbu notes
Iwaki Tōsandō Fukushima; Miyagi Fukushima; Miyagi Tōhoku created during the Meiji Restoration in 1868 from Mutsu
Iwashiro Tōsandō Fukushima Fukushima Tōhoku created during the Meiji Restoration in 1868 from Mutsu
Kōzuke Maebashi Tōsandō Gunma Maebashi Kantō broke off from Kenu during the 4th century
Mino near Gifu Tōsandō Gifu Gifu Chūbu notes
Mutsu Tōsandō Aomori, Iwate Morioka Tōhoku created in the 7th century from Hitachi
Ōmi Ōtsu Tōsandō Shiga Ōtsu Tōhoku notes
Rikuchū Tōsandō Akita; Iwate; Miyagi Akita; Morioka; Sendai Tōhoku created during the Meiji Restoration in 1868 from Mutsu
Rikuzen Tōsandō Iwate Morioka Tōhoku created during the Meiji Restoration in 1868 from Mutsu
Shimotsuke Tōsandō Tochigi Utsunomiya Kantō created from Kenu during the 4th century
Shinano Matsumoto Tōsandō Nagano Nagano Chūbu notes
Suwa Tōsandō Nagano Nagano Chūbu created in 721 from Shinano, later rejoined back in 731
Uzen Tōsandō Yamagata Yamagata Tōhoku created from Dewa in 1868
Ugo Tōsandō Akita; Yamagata Akita; Yamagata Tōhoku created from Dewa during in 1868

Over time, Tōhoku has developed its own regional dialects, customs and unique traditional culture.[9]

Geography [change]

The region occupies the northeastern part of Honshu, which is the largest Japanese island. The region covers six prefectures (ken), including Akita, Aomori, Fukushima, Iwate, Miyagi and Yamagata.[10]

Related pages [change]

Regions in the context of modern prefectures.
Kinai Tōkaidō Tōsandō Hokurikudō
San'indō San'yōdō Nankaidō Saikaidō

References [change]

  1. ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Geography" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 242; "Tōhoku" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 970.
  2. ↑ Library of Congress Country Studies, Japan (LOC), "Geographic Regions"; "The islands of Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu each form a region, and the main island of Honshu is divided into five regions"; retrieved 2012-4-15.
  3. ↑ Tames, Richard. (2008). A traveller's history of Japan, p. 264.
  4. ↑ Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), "Regions of Japan"; retrieved 2012-4-15.
  5. ↑ Brandt, Kim. Kingdom of Beauty: Mingei and the Politics of Folk Art in Imperial Japan, pp. 218-219;Shapira, Philip et al. (1994). Planning For Cities And Regions In Japan, p. 193, citing Research Institute of Construction and Economy. (1991). "Fig. 2-7. "Regional Vitalization and Construction Administration," White Paper on Construction; retrieved 2012-8-28.
  6. ↑ Nussbaum, "Goki-shichidō" at p. 255.
  7. ↑ LOC, "Kinki"; retrieved 2012-4-15.
  8. ↑ Steiner, Kurt. (1965). Local Government in Japan, p. 62.
  9. ↑ Web-Japan.org, "Regions of Japan"; retrieved 2012-4-15.
  10. ↑ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Tōhoku" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 970.

Other websites [change]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tōhoku region


Coordinates: 38°54′N 140°41′E / 38.9°N 140.683°E / 38.9; 140.683


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