Morinokawa 森川, The Forest River Spring - Ginowan City

The Mori-no-kawa Spring

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"Mori-no-kawa, Ginowan City"

     GPS 

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 16.260	E 127 44.453

Morinokawa 森川, The Forest River Spring 

Okinawa is full of natural springs. But in Ginowan City there is one source of water that has a 'heavenly' story behind it and the makings of a once great king. Welcome to Morinokawa (Mori-no-kawa 森川), the Forest River Spring.

The Legend of Hagoromo. It is said that long ago a farmer by the name of Ufuya Okuma was on his way home when he decided to stop by the Mori-no-kawa Spring. To his astonishment he discovered a very beautiful woman (an angel) bathing in the water and not too far, was her celestial robe (hagoromo) hanging on a tree. The farmer then took her heavenly garb and when the angel discovered her robe had mysteriously vanished she went into a panic – for she could not return to the heavens without it. Conveniently and seemingly out of nowhere, Ufuya came to the aid of the distressed woman, clothed her, and took her in. His ploy had worked! With no home to return to, she became the farmer's wife and would later give birth to two children, a boy and a girl.

Legend has it that, '...one day the angel heard her little daughter singing a lullaby, “Don't cry baby. Toubins-hanin's (angel's wings) are hidden in the storehouse under the millet. Don't cry baby.” The angel rushed to the storehouse and sure enough, there she found her hidden robe.'(1)

Upon her discovery, the angel left to the heavens, never to return.

Her Children's Fate. What became of her daughter is not really certain at this time,...but legend has it that the son grew up and became a great king. He is none other than King Satto, a once great king of the Chuzan region, the central area of the Ryukyu Kingdom during the 14th Century.(2)

Epilogue. The Mori-no-kawa Spring is part of the a much larger park and there, you may see artwork of a celestial being. This represents the angel in the story. Also near the spring, you will see a monument in the form of a gate. This gate was first constructed in 1725 by the Ie Family in honor of the Legend of Hagoromo.(3)

Source of Information/Citation. 1. Legend of Hagoromo/King Satto, Pg 107, Okinawa Tourism Guide Book Revised Edition 1998, Published by the Bank of the Ryukyus International Foundation 2. King Satto's reign, Pg 62, Okinawa: The History of an Island People, George Kerr 3. Monument information, explanation sign on site, Japanese only).

Author's Note. The Okinawa Tourism Guide Book, Revised Edition 1998, uses the term “toubinsu” meaning a feathery robe and “toubins-hanin's meaning “angel's wings”. These are believed to be from the Okinawa language, but cannot be independently verified at the moment. Hagoromo is Japanese meaning an angel's garment.

Directions. Take Highway 58 into Ginowan City (not the 58 by-pass). You will see major signs both in English and in Japanese along Highway 58 directing you to the Mori-no-kawa Park. Once you make the turn from Highway 58 the road continues straight and then makes a bend to the right. Look for these arches on the left side of the road. As soon as the arch ends will be the entrance to the park. If you are going to fast the entrance will sneak up on you.

"The Yan Spring - Miyagi Island"

The Yan Spring (Yanga)

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The Yan Spring

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 22.254	E 127 58.937

The Yan Spring - Miyagi Island

Okinawa is full of natural springs. This one found on Miyagi Island is the Yan Spring (Yanga) and is considered one of Uruma City's cultural assets. It is not too far away from the Nagusuku Udun roughly 400 meters away. Next to the spring is an explanation sign translated in English provided by the Uruma City Board of Education. It reads:

"Comprised of Ryukyu limestone and Tertiary Strata marlstone (also known as kucha in Okinawan), the soil of Miyagi Island is ideal for trapping rainwater, and thus the island has abundant spring water. The yanga has the highest output of water among all springs on the island;

It is recorded in the Kyuyou(*1) that the village heads of Yonagusuku Magiri(*2), Penchin(*3) Nakamura and Pechin Ikemi, had restored the yanga with the help of 19 villagers in 1849. The stone structure that they reconstructed leaves evidence of construction techniques of the time. The then-villages of Uehara and Miyagi did not use the water only for daily needs; the spring is considered historically significant, for its water was used for wakamizu(*4) and also for ubumizu(*5)"

Notes:
1. Kyuyou: a book that records the history of Okinawa
2. Magiri: a modern-day equivalent of village, towns, and cities during the Ryukyu Kingdom Era
3. Pechin: a rank in the old Ryukyu Kingdom Era
4. Wakamizu: water used in the New Year
5. Ubumizu: water used for celebrating birth

Using spring water for 'wakamizu' and 'ubumizu' is common throughout Okinawa for those who still practice traditional customs. It is also not uncommon to find symbols of worship like utaki's next to springs. Long ago, water was treasured as the life blood for communities, and places of worship were erected to give thanks for such sources of water.

Author's note. The translation states the Yan spring “has the highest output of water among all springs on the island”. This more than likely refers to Miyagi Island and not Okinawa proper. There are other springs throughout Okinawa that also have high outputs of water as well.

The Other Natural Spring. There is another natural spring to the south of the Yan Spring. There is no official title to it and we simply refer to as the 'Miyagi Garden Spring'. See map above. It is highly recommended you navigate on foot to this location. If you walk just further to the south of the 'Miyagi Garden Spring' you will also see some interesting terrain.

Other Natural Springs on Okinawa Prefecture.
Kanumou Well in Awase (Okinawa City), Okawa, The Natural Spring (Kin Town), Nakandakari Hijya, Natural Spring (Nanjo City), Noroga and Remnants of an Old Sugar Factory (Uruma City), Small Kunigami Cave Spring (Kunigami Village), Tabagaa Water Spring (Uruma City), The Dragon Tree (Naha City), Ubugaa (Okinawa City), Water From Hands (Nago City).

"The Dragon Tree"

Size comparison: A photographer stands in front of  'The Dragon Tree'*

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The Dragon Tree

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 13.935	E 127 40.959

The Dragon Tree

Natural phenomenons on Okinawa are often used as symbols for places of worship. Such places can be a water spring, a hilltop, or...a large tree. The tree you see above is commonly known as a Banyan Tree (Ficus microcarpa). The Okinawans call it 'Gajumaru'. The roots of a Gajumaru tree are well known to dig their 'claws' through hard soil and rocks. What makes this tree unique is that it sits on a large stone that has been carved out with a stone marker inside. The main Kanji reads 'Tenryu Daigoshin' and gives reference to a 'Dragon god from the heavens' hence the nickname, 'The Dragon Tree'*. In front of the stone marker is an incense holder for those who wish to offer prayers. What also makes this particular tree beautiful is its radiating symmetry of tree limbs shooting outward. The tree sits next to another utaki (place of worship) and a water spring down below. If you are into seeing the unique and unusual on Okinawa, then this might be a tree to see.

Getting there. The tree is located in a place that you would least expect. It sits behind an apartment and some commercial buildings in Naha City. Study the map carefully. The designated blue vehicle route is accessible for traffic going both north and south (note: northbound traffic just before this intersection cannot turn right due to a road median divider). Look at the Landmark Icon on the map to see what the turn-off looks like. 

Parking. There is no designated parking for this utaki. There may be an open lot just before the turn-off. In this picture it is to the left of the coke machine. Park at your own risk.

*the 'Dragon Tree' is a nickname created by the author to describe the tree and its association with the utaki (place of worship) collocated with it. It is not an official title.

"Tabagaa"

Tabagaa Spring

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Tabagaa Spring

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 22.006	E 127 52.086

Tabagaa Water Spring

On the eastern side of Taba, a district in Uruma City, lies a sacred well called Tabagaa or sometimes referred to as Ubugaa. What you will see at the spring are two main water wells, a reservoir in between, and a place of worship known as an utaki. The explanation on a nearby sign does mention several stone stacking techniques used to set up this spring. They are referred to as akata, nozura, and kiriishi techniques of stacking.

At the beginning of the New Year you may see heighten activity at this location by local villagers. It is here where local villagers participate in a custom known as 'wakamizu', which is the first drawing of water on New Years Day*. The well is also used by local farmers for agricultural reasons and another practice called kauri/ubumizu which is a way of celebrating or welcoming a new baby into the world. These types of customs are similarly described at another well in Awase of Okinawa City which just happens to be named 'Ubugaa'.

Getting there. Not a difficult find. If you are on Highway 8 going towards Katsuren Castle look for this road sign to the left. Both the sign and the turn-off will be right before a Family Mart. The well is roughly 70 meters from the turn-off.

*the translated explanation did not specify which type of New Years. It could represent New Years both from the Gregorian Calendar and the Lunar Calendar (Chinese New Year).

"Ubugaa"

Ubugaa, Awase's Sacred Well sits behind this Utaki

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Ubugaa

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 19.143	E 127 50.168

Ubugaa

Though small in stature, this sacred site has significant meaning to the people of Awase and their history. This is Ubugaa, Awase's sacred well. The picture you see above is the utaki or place of worship for the well. The well actually sits behind this small structure. Like its counterpart, the 'God of Fire', that sits only a few meters away, Ubugaa too has an interesting story about its origin. The sign (translated in English) reads,

Ubugaa was built during the first part of 1768 when the village was formed.  It is a well built from natural springs for the villagers to use as drinking water. It was not only used for drinking but also used as a baby's first bath after they were born. People also drink this water on New Years day and has been esteemed for years. During birth, people also took this water to wipe the baby's forehead. The water was also  used to wash the body of dead. It was the children's duties to fetch the water from this well when used for a new born baby and New Years. They are taught not to switch hands when carrying the water back home.

31August, 2002 - Awase Restoration Committee

One obvious question is, why is switching the water in the other hand considered a 'no-no'? It was something that couldn't be answered with the given resources. Further research is required. This could be a local tradition or something part of a wider custom. As January 1st comes closer and closer (or later, depending on what day the Lunar New Year falls on),  you may see activity heighten as people prepare for the upcoming New Year . It is also not uncommon for people to come here and pray during other parts of the year as well.

Language note: The word "gaa" is of Hogen dialect. It understood as a 'well' or 'spring' when it is appended to another group of words as a suffix. It this case this well is called "Ubu-gaa". The Nakandakari Hijya Spring in Nanjo-Shi is also referred to as "Ufugaa".

Other places of interest nearby: The Awase Shrine, The Meinu Utaki, The Awase War Memorial, Kanumou Well, God of Fire Utaki.

"Small Cave Spring in Kunigami"

Upclose look at the small cave spring in Kunigami

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Small Cave Spring in Kunigami

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 43.287	E 128 09.649

Small Cave Spring in Kunigami

This is a little spring coming out of a tiny cave in Kunigami. It borders the Hanji and Kaganji District and is right off Highway 58. It is just a few kilometers south of the Okuma Recreational Facility and across from the Lawsons convenience store and tucked behind an apartment complex. This is small, but if you are intrigued by little wonders of nature then take a peek. Modern piping was done to help navigate the water flow from the cave. Nevertheless, it is still a nice hole in the wall. There is a sacred place for prayer at the spring. The pond and park in the front isn't as well kept. There appears to be some damage done from the summer typhoons. If you are staying at Okuma, then this might be another excuse to get out and see something else. There is also a nice river stream in Ura not too far north.

Other places of interest nearby: River Stream in Ura, Yanbaru Wildlife Conservation Center, Iji Shrine and The Cherry Blossom Hill.

"Nakandakari Hijya - A Natural Spring in Nanjo-shi"

Nakandakari Hijya, natural spring

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Nakandakari Hijya (Natural Spring)

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 08.718	E 127 47.567

Nakandakari Hijya - A Natural Spring in Nanjo-shi

This is the Nakandakari Hijya, or the Nakandakari Natural Spring. It's located in the town of Nakandakari, a small district in the Nanjo-shi region, which lies in the southern part of Okinawa. It serves as a water source for the local community. It is an old style spring with a heating stove affixed to the side to heat up water. There is also an sacred place for prayer next to the spring. Here is a paraphrase of the English translation provided by the Tamagusuku Village Board of Education: The spring was once called 'Ufugaa' and was just an old wooden gutter. It was later rebuilt by a builder from the Tsuken Island between 1912-1913. It was used by the community for all sorts of chores; washing, cleaning, rinsing vegetables etc. Today, it is mainly for agriculture use for the nearby locals and farmers. Unfortunately, the original spring construction was destroyed and subsequently buried during the Battle of Okinawa, but was later rebuilt to its original form in 2004 (end paraphrase). Note: There is a sign with both Japanese and English explaining the origin of this spring.

I had assistance in helping find this place by Doc and Ryukyu Mike. They found it first and had posted earlier articles about it. If it were me, I would have driven past this place never knowing it existed. It is about a 100 meters near the main road (Highway 137). There is a small park with a cabana-like structure where you can view the coast line and the Philippine Sea to the east.

Getting there. The spring is on Highway 137. Highway 331 runs into the 137 from the east side. I placed some landmarks to guide you in. Click on the Landmark Icon to see what they look like. The 'blue route' highlights how to get there once you turn off the 137.

CAUTION. The ground next to the spring is either made up of limestone or coral. It is VERY SLIPPERY when wet. Use caution especially if you are walking up the incline to get an angular photo shot.

Other areas of interest nearby. There are two castles that are not frequented by tourist but are very interesting. They are close to the 137 if you were to drive towards the west. I will 'Map' these castles some time this month, but just wanted to give you a heads up to the curious traveler if you wish to find them yourselves. To get a preview visit Mike's Ryukyu Gallery. He took some outstanding photos.

"Kyoda's Hidden Fountain - The Water From Hands" (In Nago)

Kyoda's 'Water from Hands' in Nago

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Kyoda's Fountain, the "Water from Hands"

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 32.588	E 127 58.024

Kyoda's Hidden Fountain - The Water From Hands

Perhaps not so hidden now after being mapped. This is Kyoda's water fountain called the 'Water From Hands'. I say it's hidden because it was neatly tucked away in the hillside - the same hill that host the town's sacred place of prayer (see blog post, the Kyoda Utaki). As I mention before in the previous post, I probably would have never known this fountain existed if I did not walk around the corner. If you drive your car to the Utaki, you will see a large open lot to the east. If you park there, you will see the fountain. (Originally, I had parked my car near the two Giant Shisas to the southwest and walked to the Utaki - which is why I didn't see the fountain at first).

This fountain has an interesting story about its origin. Here is a translation of the sign posted next to it.

A long time ago, there was a beautiful girl who lived in Kyoda. One day wanting to do laundry, the girl approached the fountain called 'Kushinuka' located behind the village. At that time, a King from Shuri was passing through on his horse, and asked the girl to fetch him some water. The girl fetched the King some water using a nibu (ladle). The King, however, asked the girl to give him water with her bare hands. Reluctantly, she did as he requested. As she approached, he was mesmerized by her beauty and took her away back to Shuri. The town's people were devastated.

Since that day, this place has been called the 'Water From Hands". Before a bridge was built over Kyoda, there were roads along the coast. People had to take the long route through Fukuchi and XXXX (translation unknown) to get here. Along the side of this road, was where this fountain was found. The fountain was used to replenish thirsty travelers. This fountain was known for many years. Subsequently, a poem was written about it in which it was later used in a 'kumiodori' (traditional dance/play) composed by XXXX Heshikiya (translation unknown).

Note: The poem was difficult to translate with accuracy, but it does mention verbiage about the horse turning back.

Other places nearby of interest: Kyoda's Two Giant Shisas, The Kyoda Utaki, Todoroki Waterfall, Nago Green Bridge/Lower Creek Park, The Nangusuku Castle Ruins, Nago Museum.
What to bring. Umbrella for rain, camera.
Parking. See Green thumbtack above.
Other amenities. There were no bathroom facilities nearby.

"Okawa the Natural Spring in Kin Town"

Kin Town's Okawa the Natural Spring

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The Natural Spring (Okawa in Kin))

     GPS

Latitude	Longitude
N 26 27.246	E 127 55.674

Okawa the Natural Spring

Okawa is the name of the Natural Spring in Kin. You can park off to the side. Some people stop by to collect the water for variety of reasons. Some will clean their clothes there (it doesn't happen often). Nevertheless the water does look clean and fresh.

I drank the water...and still alive. Drink at your own risk. It does look fresh though. If it is a hot day...you will be tempted.

There is an old playground across from it...

Okawa is a great place to sit and have a lunch or a short drink.

Okawa is off Highway 329. You will see a 'Family Mart' before you turn off to the road to go to Okawa. The road is downhill and is covered by green asphalt.

Other places of interest nearby: Statue of Oshiro Kozo, Kin Kannonji Shrine, Kin Watch Tower, Kin's Castle Rock, Richamocha Cafe, The Gold Hall, Kinjo's Used Goods, Kin Town's Hidden Nature Trail, Statue of Toyoma Kyuzo, Birth Place of Toyoma Kyuzo, Kin Town's History Chronicles, Kin Town's Cherry Blossom Way.