noun
lowest-rank province (ritsuryō system)
Historical term from the ritsuryō system; refers to provinces classified as the lowest rank. Not used in modern administrative contexts.
律令制では、下国は最も格の低い国とされた。
Under the ritsuryō system, a 下国 was considered a province of the lowest rank.
noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
Archaic term for departing the capital to go to the provinces. Rare in modern Japanese; may appear in historical texts.
彼は都を離れ、下国することにした。
He decided to leave the capital and go down to the provinces.