Province de Kawachi

Kawachi Province was a province of Japan in the eastern part of modern Osaka Prefecture. It originally held the southwestern area that was split off into Izumi Province. It was also known as 河州. The area was radically different in the past, with Kawachi Bay and lake dominating the area over what is now land. Kawachi was divided into three counties: northern, central, and southern. The northern county comprised the modern Hirakata, Neyagawa, Kadoma, Moriguchi, Shijōnawate, Daitō, and Katano, Osaka areas. The central county comprised the modern Higashiōsaka, Yao, and Kashiwara, Osaka areas. The southern county comprised the modern Sakai's eastern part (all of Higashi-ku and Mihara-ku, and part of Kita-ku), Matsubara, Habikino, Fujiidera, Tondabayashi, Kawachinagano, Ōsakasayama, and Minamikawachi District areas. Kawachi province was established in the 7th century. On 11 May 716, the Ōtori, Izumi, and Hine districts were split off to form Izumi Province. In December 720, the Katashimo and Katakami districts were combined to become Ōagata. On 15 September 740, Izumi Province was merged back in. On 30 May 757, that area was again separated to form Izumi Province (this time with the normal kuni designation). Under Dōkyō's administration, 由義宮 was established, taking the name of "Western Capital"; moreover, in 769 the office of Kawachi kokushi was abolished, and the special administration structure of 河内職 was established. With the downfall of Dōkyō, the prior system was restored the following year. The provincial capital was in Shiki District, which is believed to have been at "provincial capital ruins" in Fujiidera, but this is not known for certain. It may have been moved during the Nara period (both locations would still be within modern Fujiidera). However, in the Shūgaishō, the capital was in Ōagata District. In the Setsuyōshū, Tanboku District was mentioned as the seat. It seems that there was no office of shugo before the Jōkyū War. It is unknown where the original shugo's residence was, but afterwards, it transferred to the Tannan, Furuichi, Wakae, and Takaya areas.