east
東 centers on the cardinal direction east, the direction of the rising sun.
東 is a pictograph of the sun rising behind a tree, representing the direction east where the sun rises.
The top horizontal stroke represents the horizon, with the sun 日 rising behind a tree 木: the sun rises in the east, so 東 means east.
For トウ, imagine the sun rising in the east over Tokyo (とうきょう): Tokyo -> トウ, and the sun rises in the east.
Tokyo
east
Kantō (region comprising Tokyo and surrounding prefectures)
north-east
eastern direction
Tōkai region (of Honshu; incl. Aichi, Shizuoka, Mie and southern Gifu prefectures)
Middle East
east and west
the East; the Orient; (East) Asia
eastern part; the east (of a region)
northeast
east entrance; east exit
southeast
east side; east bank
East Asia; the Orient
Far East
Eastern Europe
Oriental country; the Orient
east longitude
Guangdong (China); Kwangtung
south-east
crown prince
the Eastern Capital (now Tokyo); Yedo; Edo
north-northeast; north-north-east
Tokyo Stock Exchange; TSE