NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉

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2007/5/31


瓜裂の清水 Uriwari-no-shimizu Split-Melon Clear Water

Jp En

Shokawa in Toyama Prefecture is a town dominated by water. Water runs from the Hida Mountains into the Sho River and through Mt Goka to appear again at the edge of Tonami Plain, where Shokawa is located. Abundant water also runs to Tonami Plain from mountains in Nanto. Waterfalls and clear water springs occur, too, at many places along the slopes and at the foot of the mountains.

Shokawa features one of Japan's 100 best water sites: Uriwari-no-shimizu, which means 'Split-Melon Clear Water'. To find this site in Shokawa, look for some Buddha stone statues in a shallow cave near the road under a hilly terrace in Iwaguro housing development. In the cave, clear water wells up under the gaze of the Buddhas.

About 600 years ago, legend has it that Shaku-shonin, a founder of Zuisenji Temple in Inami, was visiting this area when one of his horse's hooves suddenly broke through the ground and released clear water. The 'split melon' name refers to a story that a melon once split naturally when cooled in the water here. The water never stops even for extended periods of hot weather, and is thus worshiped as holy water.
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2007/1/17


瑞龍寺 Zuiryuji Zuiryu-ji Temple

Jp En

Zuiryu-ji Temple is located in Takaoka district, Toyama prefecture. The highly-appraised zenshuyou architecture of this temple dates back to the early Edo period. The temple is famous as having the longest cloister in Japan.

The 3rd Lord of Kaga, Maeda Toshitsune, founded the temple in memory of his ancestor, Maeda Toshinaga. In the 17th century, Toshinaga was known as Akeno. He established a castle in the uninhabited area, and brought merchants and people to help establish the town and work the land. Consequently, he acquired an enormous posession.

Toshitsune, who inherited all this, felt it his duty to establish a temple, and built it with the support of Yamashita-Zenemon-Yoshihiro. It took about 20 years to build, and today has a magnificent appearance that astonishes visitors.

Today, the Buddhist sanctuary, lecture hall and gate have been designated as national treasures. In addition, the main entrance gate, meditation hall, hallway, the semi-enclosed corridor and the tea room have been designated as important cultural properties.
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眼目山立山寺 Ganmokuzan-ryusenji Mount Ganmoku Ryusen Temple

Jp En

Mount Ganmoku Ryusen Temple is famous for the Sōtō Zen Buddhism practised here and is located in Nakaniikawa district, Toyama prefecture.

The priest Daitetsu Soryo established it in 1370. In ancient times, it was worshiped as a holy mountain. The religion that refers to Ryusen is called Ryusen Shinkyo and its deity is called Ryusen Kengon. There is a legend that Ryusen Kengon turned out to be a tree-feller and persuaded Daitetsu Soryo to construct the temple.

There is a wooden statue of the priest which is designated as an Important Prefectural Asset. Also, there are two spectacular stones for Zen meditation in the forest near the cloister-shaped temple.

The avenue lined with toga trees creates a magnificent view. By walking along the pathways, the silence that flows from the natural world can be felt in one’s bones.
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殿様清水 Tonosama-shohzu Tonosama Shouzu Spring

Jp En

Tonosama Shouzu is a source of water that flows without cease at the threshold of Kasugaonsenkyo, in Toyama prefecture. It is chosen as the site of Toyama's best water and is also among the top 100 best sources of water in Japan.

It is said that the water is similar to that of Ana-no-tani-no-reisui in Kamiichi. Many people living in the neighborhood often go to the spring to collect water. It is comfortable to drink and soothes the throat.

The name Tonosama Shouzu derives from the legend that the lord of Toyama clan, who only drank its waters, never suffered ill-health.

Around the spring are recreation facilities, parks and forests. Kasugasou, Garaku and Oosawano Palace are in the vicinity, and the spring is a landmark of Toyama prefecture.
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NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉 - 日本語に切り替える NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉 - to english

"Nippon-kichi" leads you to places, people and things that reveal a certain Japanese aesthetic.

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