Kuni国alternative words: Country, State, Nation, Province keywords: law , state related topics: Ritsuryo system , Kokushi , Shugo , Han , Kuni no miyatsuko , Goki shichido explanation: As any other languages, Kuni has 2 meanings: "nation" as a whole and its regional units, province. Due to her isolation, Japan used frequently the second meaning in the past. Under Ritsuryo regime of 8th century, Japan was divided into 58 kuni and 66 kuni under Engishiki of 10th century. Initially kuni was administered by kokushi appointed by Yamato court then by shugo appointed by Kamakura shogunate but they lost gradually power and han administered by daimyo became regional units. | |