MAPS
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Danger Danger!
When exploring these maps, you might not notice it, but the words "prefecture" and "province" are used. There IS a difference between these two terms. Both are subdivisions of Japan, and both are subdivisions of major regions of Japan. Each are roughly the size of a county in the US. However, the difference is timing and politics. |
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Provinces came first. They were, essentially, thier own states. In fact, in Japanese, they were referred to as 国 (くに), which is essentially the kanji meaning "state" or "country". As time and politics continued, the cental aurthority ruling Japan at the time (whether it be the imperial family, the Imperial Court, or the military) desired to increase their influence on these provinces.
Finally, in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration, the provinces were turned into prefectures. Slowly thereafter, the boundaries of prefectures merged, altered, and changed to the point where, today, there are 47 prefectures.
What is the difference? The only significant difference to you, the Japanese history learner, is that the boundaries are different.
However, for those who wish to truly understand the nature of the difference between the two -- "you know, man, like, what is the essence of prefectures and provinces, dude?" -- will probably just be better off realizing that when new people come in and rule a government, they want to put their friends in power and that the best way to accomplish this large task is to just change everything.
Finally, in 1868 during the Meiji Restoration, the provinces were turned into prefectures. Slowly thereafter, the boundaries of prefectures merged, altered, and changed to the point where, today, there are 47 prefectures.
What is the difference? The only significant difference to you, the Japanese history learner, is that the boundaries are different.
However, for those who wish to truly understand the nature of the difference between the two -- "you know, man, like, what is the essence of prefectures and provinces, dude?" -- will probably just be better off realizing that when new people come in and rule a government, they want to put their friends in power and that the best way to accomplish this large task is to just change everything.
