the four gods 青龍(せいりょう) (Seiryō), 朱雀(すざく) (Suzaku), 白虎(びゃっこ) (Byakko), 玄武(げんぶ) (Genbu), imported to Japan from Chinese mythology

south, southern area

protection; safeguard

to protect

one thing

(vulgar) pudendal cleft

(Christianity) God

(historical or contemporary) any of several kingdoms, empires, or states of the Chinese people

the central part of a country, historically, commonly known as the capital city or the main region, where an emperor or other ruler resides / something within a country

Short for 中国地方 (Chūgoku chihō): the Chūgoku region of Japan