one's native place; hometown
Literary or poetic term for one's hometown or the place where one grew up. Not used in casual conversation; more common words are 故郷 (こきょう) or 地元 (じもと).
He left his hometown and works in the city.
Compound of 故 (old, former) and 山 (mountain), literally 'old mountain(s)', used poetically to refer to one's native place. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.