Nankaido - Nankaido

Japanese: 南海道 - なんかいどう

In ancient times, this was an administrative region south of the capital, facing the Pacific Ocean, and referred to the six provinces of Kii, Awaji, Awa, Sanuki, Iyo, and Tosa, as well as the route between them. The Nihon Shoki records that in the second year of the reign of Emperor Chuai, the emperor toured the "Southern Provinces" and arrived in Kii Province, where he stayed at Tokorotsu Palace (Shinzaike, Wakayama City). It also records that in 685 (the 14th year of the reign of Emperor Tenmu), when he sent envoys to the six provinces, he appointed Michi no Mahitotomi as an envoy to the "Southern Sea." It is unclear whether this "Southern Province" or "Southern Sea" refers to the Nankaido, but after the system of the seven provinces was established around 700 (the 4th year of the reign of Emperor Mommu), the six provinces mentioned above came under his jurisdiction. The Engishiki describes Kii and Awaji as nearby countries, Awa and Sanuki as China, and Iyo and Tosa as distant countries. The Nankaido route was a small road, and five horses were stationed at each station.

[Yoshinari Maruyama]

"Kojiruien Chibuichi" (1970, Yoshikawa Kobunkan)

Hiroshige Utagawa, Famous Places of the Sixty-odd Provinces, Kii, Wakanoura
1855 (Ansei 2), National Diet Library

Hiroshige Utagawa's "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Kii and Wagaku..."

Hiroshige Utagawa, Famous Places of the Sixty-odd Provinces, Awaji: Goshikihama Beach
1855 (Ansei 2), National Diet Library

Hiroshige Utagawa "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Awaji, Five Colors"

Hiroshige Utagawa, "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces, The Winds and Waves of Awa and Naruto"
1855 (Ansei 2), National Diet Library

Hiroshige Utagawa "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Awa and Naruto"

Hiroshige Utagawa, "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces, Distant View of Mount Zozu, Sanuki"
Elephant Head Mountain is another name for Mount Kotohira. 1855 (Ansei 2), National Diet Library

Hiroshige Utagawa, "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces, Sanuki, Elephant Head"

Hiroshige Utagawa, "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces, Iyo and Saijo"
In the background is Mount Ishizuchi. 1855 (Ansei 2) National Diet Library

Hiroshige Utagawa "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Iyo, Saijo..."

Hiroshige Utagawa, "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty Provinces, Tosa: Fishing on the Sea in Pine Trees"
Pole fishing for skipjack tuna (matsuuo). 1855 (Ansei 2). National Diet Library .

Hiroshige Utagawa "Illustrated Guide to Famous Places in the Sixty-odd Provinces: Tosa, Sea..."

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

古く京畿(けいき)の南方、太平洋に臨む行政区域で、紀伊、淡路、阿波(あわ)、讃岐(さぬき)、伊予、土佐の六か国をさし、その道筋をもいう。『日本書紀』は、仲哀(ちゅうあい)天皇の2年、天皇が「南国」を巡狩(じゅんしゅ)し、紀伊国に到り徳靭津(ところつ)宮（和歌山市新在家(しんざいけ)）に居たとし、さらに685年（天武天皇14）六道への使節派遣に際して、路真人迹見(みちのまひととみ)を「南海」への使者にしたと記している。この南国・南海が南海道を意味するか否かは判然としないが、700年（文武天皇4）ごろ七道の制が定まって以降、前記六か国が管轄されるようになった。『延喜式(えんぎしき)』は、紀伊・淡路を近国、阿波・讃岐を中国、伊予・土佐を遠国(おんごく)としている。なお、南海道の道筋は小路(しょうろ)で、各駅には馬五疋(ひき)を定置した。

［丸山雍成］

『『古事類苑　地部一』（1970・吉川弘文館）』

歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　紀伊　和哥之浦』
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歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　紀伊　和哥…

歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　淡路　五色浜』
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歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　淡路　五色…

歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　阿波　鳴門の風波』
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歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　阿波　鳴門…

歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　讃岐　象頭山遠望』
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歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　讃岐　象頭…

歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　伊予　西条』
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歌川広重『六十余州名所図会　伊予　西条…