東とう海かい

noun

eastern sea; sea to the east

Literal Sino-Japanese use meaning a sea lying to the east. In ordinary modern prose, 東の海 is often more transparent, while 東海 tends to sound compact, formal, or name-like.

• 古ふるい地ち理り書しょでは、その国くにの東ひがしに広ひろがる海うみを東とう海かいと呼よんでいる。

  In the old geography book, the sea spreading east of that country is called the eastern sea.

noun

Tōkaidō; Edo-period Edo-Kyoto highway

Historical abbreviated use for 東海道, especially the Edo-period highway linking Edo and Kyoto. This is not the usual modern way to refer to the road or route.

See also: 東海道

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの資し料りょうでは、東とう海かい道どうを略りゃくして東とう海かいと記しるすことがある。

  In Edo-period materials, Tōkaidō is sometimes abbreviated and written as 東海.

noun

Japan

Archaic and poetic use for Japan, especially in literary or classical-style contexts. Modern Japanese normally uses 日本 or similar names instead.

• 古こ典てんや漢かん詩しでは、東とう海かいが日本にほんを指さすことがある。

  In classical texts and Chinese-style poetry, 東海 can refer to Japan.