Nabeshima clanNabeshima clan (鍋島氏, Nabeshima-shi) is a Japanese samurai kin group. HistoryThe clan controlled Saga Domain from the late Sengoku period through the Edo period. The Nabeshima clan was a cadet branch of the Shōni clan and was descended from the Fujiwara clan.
Saga PrefectureSaga Prefecture (佐賀県, Saga-ken; Japanese pronunciation:) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Kyushu. Saga Prefecture has a population of roughly 780,000 and has a geographic area of 2,439 square kilometres (942 sq mi). Saga Prefecture borders Fukuoka Prefecture to the northeast and Nagasaki Prefecture to the southwest. Saga is the capital and largest city of Saga Prefecture, with other major cities including Karatsu, Tosu, and Imari.
EdoEdo (江戸; lit.'bay-entrance'; English: ; Japanese:), also romanized as Jedo, Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of Tokyo. Under the Tokugawa shogunate, Edo developed into a major early-modern urban centre with a population that is believed to have exceeded 1 million by the early 18th century — making it, by many estimates, the largest city in the world at the time.
Nagasaki PrefectureNagasaki Prefecture (長崎県, Nagasaki-ken) is a prefecture of Japan, mainly located on the island of Kyūshū, although it also includes a number of islands off Kyūshū's northwest coast - including Tsushima and Iki. Nagasaki Prefecture has a population of 1,246,481 (1 February 2025) and has a geographic area of 4,130 km (1,594 sq mi). Nagasaki Prefecture borders Saga Prefecture to the northeast.
KokudakaKokudaka (石高) refers to a system for determining land value for taxation purposes under the Tokugawa shogunate of Edo-periodJapan, and expressing this value in terms of koku of rice. One koku (roughly equivalent to five bushels) was generally viewed as the equivalent of enough rice to feed one person for a year.
Tozama daimyōTozama daimyō (外様大名, "outside daimyō") was a class of powerful magnates or daimyō (大名) considered to be outsiders by the ruler of Japan during the Edo period (江戸時代). Tozama daimyō were classified in the Tokugawa shogunate (江戸幕府) as daimyō who became vassals of the Tokugawa after the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原の戦い).
Tokugawa shogunateMilitary government of Japan (1603–1868)Today part ofJapan
Meiji RestorationThe Meiji Restoration (明治維新, Meiji Ishin; also translated as the Meiji Reform[ation]), referred to at the time as the Honorable Restoration (御維新／御一新, Goi(s)shin), was a political event that restored imperial rule to Japan in 1868 under Emperor Meiji and led to the Westernisation of Japan.Edo periodThe Edo period, also known as the Tokugawa period, is the period between 1600 or 1603 and 1868 in the history of Japan, when the country was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and some 300 regional daimyo, or feudal lords. Emerging from the chaos of the Sengoku period, the Edo period was characterized by prolonged peace and stability, urbanization and economic growth, strict social order, isolationist foreign policies, and popular enjoyment of arts and culture.
Saga CastleSaga Castle (佐賀城, Saga-jō) is a Japanese castle located in Saga City, Saga Prefecture, Japan. It is a hiraijirō, a castle built on a plains rather than a hill or mountain, and is surrounded by a wall rather than being built above a stone base. Saga castle was home to the Nabeshima clan, daimyō of Saga Domain. It was also known as "Submerged Castle" (沈み城, Shizumi-jō).
Han systemHan (Japanese: 藩, "domain") is a Japanese historical term for the estate of a daimyo in the Edo period (1603–1868) and early Meiji period (1868–1912).
Hizen ProvinceHizen Province (肥前国, Hizen no Kuni; Japanese pronunciation: [çiꜜ.(d)zeɴ, -(d)zen no kɯ.ɲi]) was an old province of Japan in the area of the Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. It was sometimes called Hishū (肥州), with Higo Province. Hizen bordered on the provinces of Chikuzen and Chikugo. The province was included in Saikaidō. It did not include the island provinces (now municipalities) of Tsushima and Iki that are now part of modern Nagasaki Prefecture.
Saga (city)Saga (佐賀市, Saga-shi; Japanese pronunciation: [saꜜ.ɡa, -ŋa, sa.ɡaꜜ.ɕi, -ŋaꜜ.ɕi]) is the capital city of Saga Prefecture, located on the island of Kyushu, Japan. As of 30 April 2024, the city had an estimated population of 227,138 in 104,354 households, and a population density of 530 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 431.81 km2 (166.72 sq mi).*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.