Tanba

Tanba (丹波) refers to a historical region and province of Japan. It was known as Tanba Province (Tanba no kuni) in the old provincial system and existed from the Nara period until the early Meiji era. The area lay in central Honshu and today is part of both Hyōgo Prefecture and Kyoto Prefecture. Its borders included neighboring provinces such as Tajima to the north and Harima to the south, and it was a region of strategic and economic importance during medieval and early modern Japan.

In contemporary usage, the name Tanba endures in place names and cultural references. A modern Hyōgo Prefecture city, Tamba-Sasayama, preserves the historic name in its identity. The region is also known for traditional crafts, notably Tanba-yaki (Tamba ware), a style of pottery produced in the area since medieval times and continued by contemporary artisans.

Notable individuals bearing the surname Tanba include the renowned Japanese actor Tetsurō Tanba (丹波哲郎), who had a prominent career in film and television across several decades. The Tanba name also appears in historical literature and geographic references related to the former province and its cultural heritage.

See also: Tanba Province, Tamba-Sasayama, Tanba-yaki.