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Saikaidō

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by LordAmeth (talk | contribs) at 16:35, 25 February 2007 (Hokkaido not relevant to this subject). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Saikaidō (西海道) is one of the main circuits of the Gokishichidō system, which was originally established during the Asuka Period. Literally translated, it means 'western sea road', and was the name used for Kyūshū and the islands of Tsushima and Iki. It consisted of nine ancient provinces and two islands: Chikuzen, Chikugo, Buzen, Bungo, Hizen, Higo, Hyūga, Satsuma, Ōsumi, Iki Island and Tsushima Island.

Similarly, Nankaidō, which includes all of Shikoku, is the "southern sea circuit" and Tōkaidō is the "eastern sea circuit", made famous by the wood-block prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige.