Harima Province

• See also: Provinces

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.⁵

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

The Emishi were sent to Harima, Sanuki, Iyo, Aki and Aha Provinces by Emperor Keikō as they were too violent and scared those that lived around Mount Mimoro.⁷

Kamakura/Muromachi Period

Akamatsu Norisuke and Akamatsu Norimura served as shugo here during their lifetime.¹

Azuchi-Momoyama Period

Amago Katsuhisa came under seige by the Mōri in 1578⁶ at Kōzuki Castle here; later commiting suicide.¹

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.
6. Kodansha. (1993) ”Japan: An Illustrated Encyclopedia”. Tokyo: Kodansha Ltd.
7. Aston. W.G. (1896) “Nihongi Volume 1: Chronicles of Japan from the Earliest Times to AD697”. Tuttle Publishing.

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