Niibari

• Japanese: 新治
• Other names: Nihihari, Niihari
• Etymology: Newly opened

Location

Nihihari (or Niibari) is mentioned numerous times within the Hitachi no Kuni Fudoki. Before Hitachi province (present-day Ibaraki province) was formed in the 7th century (under Emperor Kotoku's reign), the region was made up of six smaller regions, one of which was Nihihari. Mt. Tsukuha is located within Nihihari.

Naming Convention

After the 645 Taika Reform, geographical names were changed to fit the new governmental system. Before the Taika Reform, Nihihari was called Nihihari no Kuni　新治国, but after, it was called Nihihari no Kohori (Koori)　新治郡. Emperor Kotoku's reign coincided with the Taika Reform, which places the creation of Hitachi province and the making of Nihihari as a district therein, at the same general time period.