Sanuki

Sanuki is a historic province of Japan located on the eastern part of Shikoku Island. Its territory largely corresponds to modern Kagawa Prefecture. In ancient and medieval periods, Sanuki functioned as a provincial division within the state and played a role in regional politics, religion, and trade along the Seto Inland Sea.

During the Meiji Restoration, Japan reorganized its administrative divisions from provinces into prefectures. Sanuki’s lands were incorporated into the newly formed Kagawa Prefecture, and the old provincial system was gradually phased out. Despite this political change, the name Sanuki persists in geographical and cultural references within the region.

In contemporary Japan, Sanuki is best known for its culinary association with udon noodles. Sanuki udon refers to a style of thick, chewy udon that originated in the province and is now a hallmark of Kagawa’s cuisine. The term has become widely recognized across Japan and overseas, contributing to the region’s culinary identity. The name Sanuki also appears in local place names and in the Sanuki dialect, a variant of the Shikoku Japanese speech patterns.

Overall, Sanuki remains a significant historical and cultural reference for the area that is now part of Kagawa Prefecture. It is tied to regional identity through historical memory, linguistic variation, and especially through the renowned Sanuki udon.