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Glite Dictionary
Yezo

Yezo

1 9.9
Old name for Hokkaido, the large island north of Honshu
  • proper noun
  • Literature
: Yezo
  • The native Ainu people have long lived on the island once called Yezo.

Examples

  • Some older maps of Japan still label Hokkaido as Yezo.

  • In the 19th century, explorers traveled to Yezo to map its rugged landscape.

  • The island of Yezo was known for its rich natural resources.

  • Many historical artifacts have been discovered on Yezo.

  • The ancient Ainu people once inhabited the northern island of Yezo in Japan.

  • In the 19th century, Yezo became known as Hokkaido after its incorporation into Japan.

  • Many visitors travel to Yezo to explore its stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage.

Synonyms

Hokkaido
vsYezo
6 5.1

A large island north of Honshu that is the second largest of Japan's main islands

is the older former name rather than the modern name
Ezo
vsYezo
  • Archaic
1 9.9

An old name for Hokkaido, the northern island of Japan

emphasizes its size as the second largest rather than being the northernmost

Surface Forms

Yezo main

Etymology

Yezo comes from the older Japanese name Ezo, which was used for the 'northern island' and the Ainu people who lived there, and 19th-century European writers often spelled it Yezo or Yesso. So, when you see Yezo on old maps, it refers to the island we now call Hokkaido.