Tōhoku region

The  is one of Japan's traditional regions.Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Geography" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 242;   "Tōhoku" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 970. The Japanese conventions of geography and history divide the nation into eight regions, including the Tōhoku 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 Tōsandō region were 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 Tōsandō.Nussbaum, "Goki-shichidō" at p. 255.  Tōhoku covers the northern area of the island of HonshūLOC, "Kinki"; retrieved 2012-4-15. in roughly the same area as the traditional Tōsandō.

In the Meiji period, the modern regional system was made by Imperial decree.  Japan was divided into regions (chihō ), including the Tōhoku 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.

Over time, Tōhoku has developed its own regional dialects, customs and unique traditional culture. Tōhoku is famous for farming. Now a lot of kinds of vegetable are grown.Web-Japan.org, "Regions of Japan"; retrieved 2012-4-15.

The Tohoku University was built in 1907.

In 2011, Tōhoku was struck with a very strong earthquake and tsunami. It caused a lot of damage. Now, people in Japan do their best for the complete revival of Tōhoku.

Geography
The region occupies the northeastern part of Honshu, which is the largest Japanese island. 

Tōhoku Prefectures
The region has six prefectures. From north to south, they are:
 Aomori Prefecture
 Iwate Prefecture
 Akita Prefecture
 Miyagi Prefecture
 Yamagata Prefecture
 Fukushima PrefectureNussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005).   "Tōhoku" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 970.

Related pages
KinaiTōkaidōTōsandōHokurikudōSan'indōSan'yōdōNankaidōSaikaidō
 Provinces of Japan
 Prefectures of Japan
 List of regions of Japan
 List of islands of Japan
 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
 Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

 References 

Other websites 

  Murdoch's map of provinces, 1903