noun
Hi Province; Hi no Kuni
Historical province in ancient Japan, corresponding roughly to modern Nagasaki, Saga, and Kumamoto prefectures. Later divided into Hizen and Higo provinces. Used in historical contexts.
See also: 肥州
火国は後に肥前国と肥後国に分かれた。
Hi Province was later divided into Hizen and Higo provinces.
肥州 is an alternate name for Higo Province (肥後国), one of the successor provinces of Hi Province.
The name 火国 (Hi no Kuni) is of ancient origin; the exact derivation is uncertain, but it is traditionally associated with the region's volcanic activity (火 meaning 'fire').