大和筑波根, Yamato-Tsukuba-ne, means "Japan Tsukuba-ne." Curiously the spelling differs here from the spelling of 筑波嶺, Tsukuba-ne, which means "Tsukuba ridge", probably referring to Mount Tsukuba. Here, 筑波根, Tsukuba-ne, means "Tsukuba roots", in the sense of "source", or "putting down one's roots." It may be a simple transcription error, but it shows how identical kana (phonetic) spellings can result in entirely different meanings. Yamato (大和) is the classical name for Japan, connecting to the central Yamato Province and meaning "Great Harmony." This symbology is connected to the earlier mythological name for Japan, Akitsushima (秋津島), which means "Dragonfly Island." (ED)