Archaic poetic name for Japan, synonymous with 八洲 (やしま). Not used in modern Japanese outside historical or literary contexts.
See also: 八洲
the eight Kantō provinces (historical)
Refers to the eight provinces of the Kantō region during the Edo period: Sagami, Musashi, Awa, Kazusa, Shimōsa, Hitachi, Kōzuke, and Shimotsuke. Often appears in the compound 関八州 (かんはっしゅう).
See also: 関八州
In old waka poetry, 八州 was used as an elegant term for Japan.
関八州 is known as a collective term for the Kantō region in the Edo period.
the eight Kanto provinces (Edo period)
the eight Edo-period provinces of Kanto
Literally 'eight provinces'. The first sense is an ancient poetic name for Japan, likely derived from the idea of the country comprising many provinces. The second sense is a historical administrative term from the Edo period.