Kansai region

The  is one of Japan's traditional regions  The area is also known as the  or as the .  The Japanese conventions of geography and history divide the nation into eight regions, including the Kansai 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 comparison. 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.

History
In the late 7th century, the Kinki 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 Kinki or Kansai.  Kansai covers the area around the capital city of Kyoto on the island of HonshūLOC, "Kinki". Retrieved 2012-4-15. in roughly the same area as the traditional Kinki.

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

Table: Kansai region 
 Province Province capital 50pxPre-modern regions Prefecture Prefecture capital 50pxRegions today  Notes IzumiKinai Osaka OsakaKansai created in 716 from Kawachi, then rejoined back in 740, later re-split in 757 KawachiKinai Osaka OsakaKansai Settsu OsakaKinai Hyōgo; Osaka Kobe; OsakaKansai Yamashiro KyotoKinai Kyoto; Nara Kyoto; NaraKansai Yamato WakigamiKinai Nara NaraKansai northern Nara without Yoshino

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

Related pages
KinaiTōkaidōTōsandōHokurikudōSan'indōSan'yōdōNankaidōSaikaidō
 Provinces of Japan
 Prefectures of Japan
 List of regions of Japan
 List of islands of Japan
Places named with Kansai
 Kansai Airport Station
 Kansai International Airport
 Kansai Ki-in (Organization for Go)

 References 

Other websites 

  Murdoch's map of provinces, 1903

Category:Kansai region