noun
historical territory; agata
Refers to a territorial unit in pre-Taika and Heian periods under the Yamato court or provincial governors. A historical term not used in modern administrative divisions.
古代の県は、大和政権の支配下にあった地域を指す。
In ancient times, agata referred to regions under the control of the Yamato court.
noun
Archaic meaning for 'countryside' or 'rural area', no longer in common use. Modern Japanese uses 田舎 (いなか) instead.
古い文献では、県が田舎を意味することがある。
In old texts, agata can mean the countryside.
The historical derivation is uncertain. The spelling 県 is conventionally associated with territorial divisions, but the reading あがた is native Japanese and its origin is unclear.