藩(はん)

はん
noun
feudal domain, clan
1. feudal domain, clan, han
A feudal domain ruled by a daimyo during the Edo period (1603–1868). Japan was divided into roughly 300 han, each governed semi-autonomously under the Tokugawa shogunate.
薩摩(さつま)藩(はん)は九州(きゅうしゅう)にあった。
The Satsuma domain was in Kyushu.
江戸(えど)時代(じだい)には多(おお)くの藩(はん)が存在(そんざい)していた。
Many feudal domains existed during the Edo period.
明治(めいじ)維新(いしん)で藩(はん)が廃止(はいし)され、県(けん)が置(お)かれた。
The feudal domains were abolished and prefectures were established during the Meiji Restoration.

Usage

藩(はん) is a historical term essential for understanding the Edo period. The system of 藩(はん) was formally abolished in 1871 through 廃藩置県(はいはんちけん) (abolition of domains and establishment of prefectures). Well-known domains include 薩摩(さつま)藩(はん), 長州(ちょうしゅう)藩(はん), and 土佐(とさ)藩(はん).

Common collocations

  • 藩主(はんしゅ): feudal lord (daimyo of a domain)
  • 藩士(はんし): domain samurai, retainer
  • 廃藩置県(はいはんちけん): abolition of domains and establishment of prefectures
  • 藩校(はんこう): domain school
  • 雄藩(ゆうはん): powerful domain

Related Words

Related: 大名(だいみょう) (feudal lord)
Compare: 領地(りょうち) (territory)
general
Added 2026.2.28 10:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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