Kyushu (九州, Kyūshū^?, lit. "Nine Provinces") is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include Kyūkoku (九国^?, "Nine States"), Chinzei (鎮西^?, "West of the Pacified Area"), and Tsukushi-no-shima (筑紫島^?, "Island of Tsukushi"). The historical regional name Saikaidō (西海道^?, lit. West Sea Circuit) referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands.