上じょう国こく

noun

second-rank province (ritsuryō system)

Historical term from the ritsuryō system; refers to a province classified as 上国, the second highest of four ranks (大国, 上国, 中国, 下国).

• 律りつ令りょう制せいでは、上じょう国こくは大たい国こくに次つぐ第だい二にの等とう級きゅうの国くにだった。

  Under the ritsuryō system, a 上国 was a province of the second rank, below 大国.

noun

provinces near the capital

Historical term for provinces located close to the capital (Kinai region). This usage is less common and may overlap with the ranking sense in some contexts.

• 上じょう国こくは都みやこに近ちかい国くに々ぐにを指さすこともあった。

  上国 sometimes referred to the provinces close to the capital.