Geography, Part 1, Volume 12

Page 21

Japan, also known as the Land of the Wa Wa (倭): An ancient Chinese name for the people and kingdoms of the Japanese archipelago., is situated within the great southeastern sea. The people dwell along the mountains and valleys. The kingdom of Goryeo original: 高麗. Referring here to the northern Korean kingdom of Koguryo or the peninsula generally. lies to its north, while the kingdoms of Silla and Baekje Ancient kingdoms of the southern Korean peninsula. lie to its northwest. The terrain of the land is high in the east and low in the west. Positioned relative to the Chinese provinces of Fujian and Zhejiang, it occupies the northeast corner.

The King takes "Wang" Literally "King" (王). as his surname. The civil and military officials all inherit their positions through hereditary succession. The territory is divided into Five Capital Regions and Seven Circuits Goki Shichidō (五畿七道): The traditional administrative system of ancient Japan., with various provinces assigned to each. These provinces, in turn, oversee the various districts.

The vassal states belonging to it number over one hundred. Starting from the northern shore and leaving the Korean state of Guya original: 拘邪韓國. Generally identified with the Gaya confederacy in the southern Korean peninsula., one travels seven thousand li li (里): A traditional unit of distance, roughly 500 meters, though "ancient li" in maritime accounts often represented travel time or different scales. to reach the State of Tsushima original: 對海國. Modern Tsushima Island.. Crossing a sea to the south for more than one thousand li, one reaches the State of Iki original: 瀚海國. Referring to the island of Iki..

Crossing another sea for more than one thousand li, one reaches the State of Matsuro original: 末羅國. Located in northern Kyushu, modern Karatsu.. Traveling five hundred li southeast overland, one reaches the State of Ito original: 伊都國. Modern Itoshima.. Another hundred li to the southeast is the State of Na original: 奴國. Centered around modern Fukuoka.. Another hundred li to the east is the State of Fumi original: 不彌國.

Traveling twenty days by water to the south, one reaches the State of Touma original: 投馬國. Traveling ten days by water and one month overland further south, one reaches the State of Yamatai original: 邪馬一國. While written here as "Yamai-ichi," it is traditionally understood as Yamatai, the seat of the Queen Himiko mentioned in 3rd-century Chinese chronicles.. Following this are the states of Siyan, Jibaizhi, Izha, Junzhi, Minu, Haogudu, and Buhu... A list of smaller polities or tribes associated with the Japanese archipelago in antiquity.