Gokishichidō - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Gokishichidō (五畿七道, literally, five provinces and seven circuits) was the name for ancient regions of Japan starting in the Asuka period.^[1] Imperial government of Japan was divided into large regions made up of several provinces.

See the main article: Comparison of past and present administrative divisions of Japan

The Gokishichidō counted the five provinces in the Kinai (畿内) or capital area as one region.^[2] In addition, there were seven "circuits" (道, dō) in an organizational system which was imported from China in the 7th century. Each of the "circuits" or do was a region which had several provinces within it.

Over centuries, the government functions of the Gokishichido became less important. However, the traditional seven circuits (七道, Shichidō) remained cultural markers.

Under the Gokishichido system, the central provinces were considered to be a core region. These lands are called the Kansai region^[3] or Kinki^[4] or Kinai.^[5] The five provinces included:

• Izumi Province,^[1] now the southern part of Osaka Prefecture
• Kawachi Province,^[6] now the southeastern part of Osaka Prefecture
• Settsu Province,^[6] now the northern part of Osaka Prefecture, including the city of Osaka, and parts of Hyōgo Prefecture
• Yamato Province,^[6] now Nara Prefecture
• Yamashiro Province,^[6] now the southern part of Kyoto Prefecture, including the city of Kyōto

Under the Gokishichido system, there were seven roads which connected the imperial capital with all of the provincial capitals. The land around each of the roads was called by the same name as the road, including

• Hokurikudō,^[7] northeast along the coast of the Sea of Japan
• Nankaidō,^[8] southern side of the Seto Inland Sea
• Saikaidō,^[1] the southern islands
• San'indō,^[9] west coast of the Sea of Japan
• San'yōdō,^[9] northern side of the Seto Inland Sea
• Tōkaidō,^[10] east coast of the Pacific Ocean
• Tōsandō,^[10] northeast through the Japanese Alps

• Provinces of Japan
• Prefectures of Japan
• List of regions of Japan
• Comparison of regions of Japan
• List of islands of Japan

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