Inaba Province, Historical region in eastern Tottori Prefecture, Japan
Inaba was a historical province located in the eastern section of present-day Tottori Prefecture, with borders shared with Hoki, Mimasaka, Harima, and Tajima provinces. The region contained diverse settlements and was inhabited from early periods of Japanese history through the classical era.
The Ifukube clan ruled the province during the late Kofun and Asuka periods, exercising significant influence at the imperial court. Princess Ifukibe no Tokotari served at Emperor Mommu's court, reflecting the regional prominence achieved during this era.
The Ube Shrine served as the spiritual center of the region, designated as the ichinomiya and holding religious significance for local communities. This sanctuary shaped the spiritual identity of the inhabitants and remained an important pilgrimage destination throughout the ages.
Archaeological sites throughout the region reveal settlements from Japan's Paleolithic period, with burial structures and pottery from the Yayoi and Kofun eras. Local museums display findings from these excavations, offering insight into the long history of habitation in this area.
The name Inaba appears in different written forms across ancient texts, with the Kojiki recording it as 稲羽 while the Kujiki used 稲葉. These varying representations show how early chroniclers documented the same region in their accounts.
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