Yoshino Province

Yoshino (芳野監 - gen) was a short-lived special province (about 716 - after 738) of the old provinces of Japan . It was comosed of only one district, Yoshino (吉野郡 - gun). Its present day location is the southern part of Nara prefecture.

The time of its founding is unknown, but may be the same or near to the establisment of Izumi Province (和泉監), 716 AD. The unit name gen (監) was different from kuni (国) of the other normal provinces. Although no record tells us the reason, the two provinces were uncommonly small and contained the secoundary places. The Yoshino province administrated Yoshino Palace and Izumi had Chinu Palace. Yoshino province was abolished sometime after the year 738.