Yamato Province
Yamato ( Japanese 大 和 国 , Yamato no kuni , literally: "Land of great harmony") or Washū ( 和州 ) was one of the historical provinces of Japan and extended over the plain around today's Nara prefecture . According to the Gokishichidō division of Japan from the 7th century, it was one of the five inner provinces ( Kinai ).
Originally the province was written as 大 倭国 (literally: "Land of Greater Wa [= Japan]"), with a spelling for Yamato that prevailed in the Asuka period . In 737 the spelling was changed to 大 養 徳 国 (literally: "large, nourishing, virtuous land"), but this was reversed in 747. In 752 or 757, the spelling was finally set as 大 和 国 .
Yamato is considered the Japanese heartland, as the ruling family resident here, from which today's Japanese Tennō probably comes, founded a loose association of states around 600 through a tribute system with neighboring areas. In addition, the Japanese rulers had their seat in various places in this area for centuries, which is also reflected in a large number of historical buildings (especially temple complexes ). Both Kyōto and Nara have been declared a World Heritage Site.
As a result, Yamato no longer only describes the area in today's Japanese, but generally stands for traditional , real, better, old Japan and the virtues ascribed to it . When Japanese athletes win in international competitions, reporters like to use the "Yamato spirit" ( yamato-damashii ) as an explanation for the superiority of the local athletes.
In addition, Japanese words are originally called Yamato words in the Japanese language, as opposed to e.g. B. The majority of Japanese nouns that are Chinese loanwords .
Coordinates: 34 ° 20 ' N , 135 ° 54' E