Tsukushi (筑紫)
Old name for northern Kyushu, often used for the whole island.
Today: Kyushu, Japan
The Great Epidemic of 735–737
Court historians, Chronicles of Japan, Continued (Shoku Nihongi), Book 12 · 735–737 (entries); compiled by 797
27
是年春。疫瘡大発。初自筑紫来。経夏渉秋。公卿以下天下百姓。相継没死不可勝計。近代以来、未之有也。
In the spring of this year the epidemic sores broke out on a great scale. They came first from Tsukushi [Kyushu]. Through the summer and on into autumn, from the high nobles down to the common people of the realm, people died one after another, more than could be counted. Nothing like it had happened in recent times.