Rikuchū Province

Rikuchū Province (陸中国, Rikuchū no kuni) was an old province in the area of Iwate and Akita Prefectures.^[1] It was sometimes called Rikushū (陸州), with Rikuzen and Mutsu Provinces.

Rikuchu covered most of modern-day Iwate Prefecture: with the exceptions of Ninohe District, Ninohe City, the northern portion of Hachimantai City, and the northern portion of Kuzumaki Town; Kesen District, Rikuzentakata City, Ōfunato City, and the southern portion of Kamaishi City; but also including Kazuno City and Kosaka Town in Akita Prefecture.

Rikuchū was created shortly after the Meiji Restoration out of part of Mutsu Province.

History

January 19, 1869: Rikuchu Province is separated from Mutsu Province
1872: A census estimates the population at 510,521

Historical districts

Rikuchū Province consisted of eighteen districts:

Akita Prefecture
- Kazuno District (鹿角郡)
Iwate Prefecture
- Isawa District (胆沢郡)
- Iwai District (磐井郡)
  - Higashiiwai District (東磐井郡) - dissolved
  - Nishiiwai District (西磐井郡)
- Iwate District (岩手郡)
  - Kitaiwate District (北岩手郡) - merged with Minamiiwate District to re-create Iwate District on March 29, 1896
  - Minamiiwate District (南岩手郡) - merged with Kitaiwate District to re-create Iwate District on March 29, 1896
- Esashi District (江刺郡) - dissolved
- Kunohe District (九戸郡)
  - Kitakunohe District (北九戸郡) - merged with Minamikunohe District to re-create Kunohe District on March 29, 1896
  - Minamikunohe District (南九戸郡) - merged with Kitakunohe District to re-create Kunohe District on March 29, 1896
- Shiwa District (紫波郡)
- Hienuki District (稗貫郡) - dissolved
- Hei District (閉伊郡)
  - Higashihei District (東閉伊郡) - merged with Kitahei and Nakahei Districts to become Shimohei District (下閉伊郡) on March 29, 1896
  - Kitahei District (北閉伊郡) - merged with Higashihei and Nakahei Districts to become Shimohei District on March 29, 1896
  - Minamihei District (南閉伊郡) - merged with Nishihei District to become Kamihei District (上閉伊郡) on March 29, 1896
  - Nakahei District (中閉伊郡) - merged with Higashihei and Kitahei Districts to become Shimohei District on March 29, 1896
  - Nishihei District (西閉伊郡) - merged with Minamihei District to become Kamihei District on March 29, 1896
- Waga District (和賀郡)
  - Higashiwaga District (東和賀郡) - merged with Nishiwaga District to re-create Waga District on March 29, 1896
  - Nishiwaga District (西和賀郡) - merged with Higashiwaga District to re-create Waga District on March 29, 1896