Wo

The historical region referred to as "Wo" (or Wa in Japanese) is an early name for Japan, appearing in ancient Chinese chronicles. These records describe Wo as a land composed of over 100 states. By the 3rd century CE, a confederation of these states was unified under Queen Himiko, who ruled with religious authority and maintained contact with the Wei kingdom in northern China. The inhabitants of Wo had developed a structured society with distinct social classes, engaged in trade at fairs, and possessed literacy. Scholars debate the exact location of Wo's political center, Yamatai, with possibilities including northern Kyushu or the Kinai district of central Honshu.1