まほろば

noun

great and splendid land (of Yamato)

Archaic poetic term for the ideal land of Yamato, often associated with ancient Japanese mythology and literature.

• 古こ事じ記きには、まほろばの地ちとして大和やまとが描えがかれている。

  In the Kojiki, Yamato is depicted as a great and splendid land.

noun

spiritual center of the land; one's spiritual home

Extended from the ancient ideal land to a more personal, spiritual sense of a place that feels like a true home or heartland.

• 彼かれにとって、この村むらは心こころのまほろばだ。

  For him, this village is his spiritual home.

noun

excellent location; splendid place

Modern figurative use for any place that is exceptionally good or ideal, often with a nostalgic or poetic tone.

• この公こう園えんは都と会かいのまほろばのような場ば所しょだ。

  This park is like a splendid place in the city.