China (archaic); Korea (archaic)
Archaic term used in classical Japanese texts to refer to China or Korea. The specific referent depends on context. Not used in modern Japanese; modern terms are 中国 for China and 韓国 (かんこく) for South Korea.
In old documents, the word 'karakuni' is used to refer to China or Korea.
Archaic kanji spelling; historically used to refer to China or Korea.
Kana spelling of the archaic reading; useful for search and clarity.
Archaic kanji spelling; historically used to refer to Korea, but now 韓国 is read かんこく for modern South Korea.
From から (ancient name for China/Korea) + くに (country). The exact origin of から is uncertain, but it appears in many old compounds referring to foreign lands, especially China and Korea.