surrounding country; neighboring villages
A yojijukugo referring to the nearby countryside and villages collectively. Often used in historical or literary contexts to describe the local area around a town or castle.
During the Warring States period, farmers from the surrounding villages took refuge in the castle.
A yojijukugo composed of 近 (near), 郷 (village), 近 (near), and 在 (countryside). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows a common pattern of repeating near-synonyms for emphasis.