"-etsu" in line names?

[scott]

Shin-etsu, Ban'etsu, Uetsu, Hokuetsu--this suffix/word/whatever-it-is shows up lots of times in part of the area of Japan that I'm most interested in. Does anybody know what it means?

[bikkuri bahn]

"etsu" comes from the ancient name of the Hokuriku region Koshinokuni (越国), though the reading is koshi rather than "etsu". So the lines you mentioned all provide a link with this region.

[scott]

Interesting--thanks! I'm assuming the reason for the two different readings would involve a language lesson that's way over my head. :-)

 

BTW, I shouldn't have said "most interested in." I mean, it's turning out to be a fun region for *modelling* purposes, but it's not like I'm not interested in other parts of Japan. And since I've never gone there, it probably seems a bit lame for me to be picking favorites, etc.

[Kitayama]

Many line names in Japan are made up of the first kanji in place/region names that the line connects.

Often, the alternative reading is used.

Example: "Keihan" is written with the first kanji in Kyoto (Kyo) and the second one in Osaka (saka) - as O just means "big". So Keihan simply means "Kyoto-Osaka".

 

"Etsu" refers to the ancient region of Echigo (as the first kanji "Echi" can also be read "Etsu").

Echigo is today a part of Niigata prefecture.

 

Some facts from Wikipedia:

"The name "Uetsu" refers to the ancient provinces of Dewa (出羽) and Echigo (越後), which the line connects."

Joetsu: "The name refers to the old provinces of Kōzuke (上野) and Echigo (越後), which the line connects."

Shinetsu: "The name of the line refers to the old names for Nagano and Niigata Prefectures, Shinano (信濃) and Echigo (越後), which the main section still connects"

[Mudkip Orange]

as O just means "big".

 

Just call me Ogaijin.