Provinces of Japan

Quick Facts: Who was Provinces of Japan?

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Provinces of Japan

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Historical first-level administrative divisions of Japan from the 600s to 1871.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Provinces of Japan (令制国, Ryōseikoku) were first-level administrative divisions of Japan from the 600s to 1871. 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 districts (郡, gun) and grouped into one of the geographic regions or 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 (domain) system, the personal estates of feudal lords and warriors, and became secondary to the domains in the late Muromachi period (1336 to 1573).

Pivotal Works & Achievements

The Provinces of Japan were replaced with the current prefecture system in the Fuhanken sanchisei during the Meiji Restoration from 1868 to 1871, except for Hokkaido, which was 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. 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 daimyō.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Under the rule of Toyotomi Hideyoshi during Azuchi–Momoyama period, the provinces were supplemented as primary local administrative units. The local daimyōs' fiefs were developed. 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.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1185: 1185 Milestone — 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).
2. 1336: 1336 Milestone — The provinces coexisted with the 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).
3. 1868: 1868 Milestone — The Provinces of Japan were replaced with the current prefecture system in the Fuhanken sanchisei during the Meiji Restoration from 1868 to 1871, except for Hokkaido, which was divided into provinces from 1869 to 1882.
4. 1871: 1871 Milestone — Provinces of Japan (令制国, Ryōseikoku) were first-level administrative divisions of Japan from the 600s to 1871.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Provinces of Japan

True or False: “The provinces system was completely abolished immediately after the Meiji Restoration in 1868.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While replaced by prefectures between 1868 and 1871, the names of the provinces were not explicitly abolished and remain used today for cultural reference.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Provinces of Japan