Harima Province

Harima Province
Location of Harima Province.

Harima Province

Harima Province (播磨国) is one of the many Provinces which once existed in Japan.1 It also went by the name of Banshū (播州) and is now located in the modern prefecture of Hyōgo.2

One version of the Folktale known as Banchō Sarayashiki is set in this Province, taking place at Himeji Castle.23

Archaeological evidence from here shows the Haji Clan left settlements here and in Mimasaka as they moved from Izumo to Yamato Province.4

Legendary Period

In the pages of the kojiki it is said that Wakatakehiko with his half-brother Kibitsuhiko laid sacred jars on the River Hi in Harima. After this they went to subdue and pacify the area of Harima.5

Yamanobe no Ohotaka passed through here on his way to catch a swan for the Prince Homutsuwake.5

Footnotes

1. Louis Frederic, translated by Kathe Roth (2002) “Japan Encyclopedia”. London: Harvard University Press.
2. Yoda, H. and Alt, M. (2016) “Japandemonium: Illustrated: The Yokai Encyclopaedia of Toriyama Sekien.”. New York: over Publications, Inc.
3. Yoda, H & Alt, M. (2012) “Yurei Attack: The Japanese Ghost Survival Guide” Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
4. Borgen, R. (1975) “The Origins of the Sugawara. A History of the Haji Family”. Monumenta Nipponica. Vol.30 No.4 pp.405-422
5. Yasumaro. O, translated by Gustav Heldt. (2014) “Kojiki. An Account of Ancient Matters”. New York: Columbia University Press.

Former Provinces of Japan
KinaiIzumi * Kawachi * Settsu * Yamashiro * Yamato
TōsandōDewa * Hida * Kōzuke * Mino * Mutsu * Omi * Shimotsuke * Shinano
HokurikudōEchigo * Echizen * Etchū * Kaga * Koshi * Wakasa
San’indōHōki * Inaba * Izumo * Tajima * Tamba * Tango
TōkaidōIse * Kai * Kazusa * Mikawa * Owari * Sagami * Shimōsa * Suruga * Tōtōmi
NankaidōAwa * Iyo * Kii * Sanuki * Tosa
San’yōdōAki * Harima * Mimasaka
SaikaidaōBungo * Chikuzen * Hizen * Hyūga * Iki * Tsushima
Pre-Taihō CodeKibi

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Yasumi Roan