Chūbu region

is one of Japan's traditional regions.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Geography" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 242;  "Chūbu", p. 126.  The Japanese conventions of geography and history divide the nation into eight regions, including the Chūbu region.Library of Congress Country Studies, Japan (LOC), "Geographic Regions"; "The islands of Hokkaido, Shikoku, and Kyushu each form a region, and the main island of Honshu is divided into five regions". Retrieved 2012-4-15.  These have been used since 1905 as basic units for description and comparisonTames, Richard. (2008). A traveller's history of Japan, p. 264. and as cultural markers.

The regions of Japan are a fusion of historical divisions and modern administrative needs.Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), "Regions of Japan". Retrieved 2012-4-15.  The significance of the region in Japan is geographical, cultural and administrative.Brandt, Kim. Kingdom of Beauty: Mingei and the Politics of Folk Art in Imperial Japan, pp. 218-219;Shapira, Philip et al. (1994). Planning For Cities And Regions In Japan, p. 193, citing Research Institute of Construction and Economy. (1991). "Fig. 2-7. "Regional Vitalization and Construction Administration," White Paper on Construction. Retrieved 2012-8-28.

History
In the late 7th century, the Hokuridō was identified as one of the eight largest administrative areas of the Imperial system (ritsuryo seido).

Gokishichidō is an ancient system of names for parts of the country, including Hokuridō.Nussbaum, "Goki-shichidō" at p. 255.  Chūbu covers a central part of the island of HonshūLOC, "Chubu". Retrieved 2012-4-15. in roughly the same area as the traditional Hokuriku, Kōshin'etsu and Tōkai.

In the Meiji period, the modern regional system was made by Imperial decree.  Japan was divided into regions (chihō ), including the Hokuriku and Tokai or Chūbu region. A regional council  (chihō gyōsei kyōgisai) was headed by the governor of the most powerful prefecture in the regional grouping.  The council also included regional chiefs of central government ministries.Steiner, Kurt. (1965).  Local Government in Japan, p. 62.

Table: Chūbu region
 Province Province capital  50pxPre-modern regions Prefecture Prefecture capital 50pxRegions today Notes Echigo Hokurikudō NiigataNussbaum, "Hokuriku" at p. 344, NiigataChūbu created from Koshi in late-7th century Echizen EchizenHokurikudō Fukui FukuiChūbu created from Koshi in late-7th century Etchū TakaokaHokurikudō Toyama ToyamaChūbu created from Koshi in late-7th century Kaga Hokurikudō Ishikawa KanazawaChūbu created in 823 from Echizen Noto NanaoHokurikudō Ishikawa KanazawaChūbu created in 718 from Echizen, then part of Etchū in 741; split from Etchū in 757 Sado SadoHokurikudō Niigata NiigataChūbu occupied in 743 by Echigo, later re-split in 752 Wakasa ObamaHokurikudō Fukui FukuiChūbu

Over time, Chūbu has developed its own regional dialects, customs and unique traditional culture.Web-Japan.org, "Regions of Japan". Retrieved 2012-4-15.

Geography
The Chūbu region is a large area of Honshū. Chūbu has traditional subdivisions, including Hokuriku, Kōshin'etsu, Shin'etsu, and Tōkai.

Related pages
KinaiTōkaidōTōsandōHokurikudōSan'indōSan'yōdōNankaidōSaikaidō
 Provinces of Japan
 Prefectures of Japan
 List of regions of Japan
 List of islands of Japan

 References 

Other websites 

  Murdoch's map of provinces, 1903

Category:Chūbu region
Category:Honshū