An archaic, poetic term for Japan, literally 'land of eight islands'. Found in classical literature and poetry; not used in modern everyday language.
The expression 'Yashima-kuni' can be found in the Kojiki.
From 八 (eight) + 洲 (island/sandbank) + 国 (country), reflecting the ancient mythological view of Japan as consisting of eight large islands. The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term is primarily known from classical texts.