What does the word Japan mean

Japan in ancient times was called Ōyashima, or "Great Eight Islands," and also Toyoashiwara-noMizuho-no-Kuni ("Land of Luxuriant Reed Plains") on account of its rich soil and luxuriant vegetation. Later it came to be called "Nippon" or "Land of Sun-origin," because it lies to the east of China. The two characters " " are pronounced "Jihpen" in Chinese, which pronunciation has been corrupted into "Japan" by Western travelers.

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