“Hizen” whispers tales of samurai, foreign traders, and rebellions. Hizen Province once thrived here. Now, let us journey back to discover Hizen’s story.
Hizen Province existed in the area of today’s Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. It was also known as Hishu together with Higo Province. Hizen bordered Chikuzen and Chikugo provinces. Tsushima and Iki islands were not part of Hizen. These islands are now part of Nagasaki Prefecture.
The name Hizen came about during the Nara period. This was when the Ritsuryo Kokugunri system reforms occurred. Hizen was divided from Higo Province at this time. The name Hizen appeared in the Shoku Nihongi chronicle from 696 AD. Hizen’s ancient provincial capital was near Yamato City.
During the late Muromachi period, Hizen saw early contact with Portuguese and Spanish merchants and missionaries. Hirado, then Nagasaki, became major foreign trade centers. A large number of people converted to Roman Catholicism. Toyotomi Hideyoshi commanded the invasion of Korea from Nagoya. This city was in Hizen. After foreign contact was suppressed and the Kirishitan religion prohibited, the Shimabara Rebellion took place in Hizen Province.
During the Edo period, Hizen Province was divided among several daimyos. The Nabeshima clan dominated. Their domain centered on Saga’s castle town. Near the end of the Tokugawa shogunate, Hizen included several domains. These included Saga, Ogi, and Shimabara. Others were Hirado, Karatsu, and Hasunoike. Omura, Kashima and Fukue also existed.
Nagasaki’s port remained a tenryo territory. The Tokugawa government administered it through the Nagasaki bugyo. The Dutch East India Company had a trading post at Dejima.
After the Meiji Restoration in 1868, the han system was abolished in 1871. Daimyos had to surrender their domains. The Meiji government divided the nation into prefectures. By 1888, these were consolidated into 47 prefectures. The former Hizen province became Saga Prefecture and part of Nagasaki Prefecture. Hizen was explicitly recognized in treaties between Japan and the United States and the United Kingdom in 1894.
Hizen Province included several historical districts. In Saga Prefecture, there was Fujitsu and Kanzaki District. Kii, Mine and Yabu Districts merged to become Miyaki District in 1896. Kishima District and Ogi District also existed. Saga District as well as Yabu District were part of it.
Nagasaki Prefecture contained Sonogi District. It was divided into Higashisonogi District and Nishisonogi District. Nagasaki-shi and Takaki District were located here. Kitatakaki District and Minamitakaki District were dissolved. Matsuura District included Higashimatsuura District and Nishimatsuura District. They transferred to Saga Prefecture in 1883. Kitamatsuura District and Minamimatsuura District were also part of Matsuura District.
Hizen’s story is etched in the land. It survives in the prefectures that rose from its foundations. As you leave Hizen Province, remember its pivotal role. It was a gateway and a stage for Japan’s transformations.