なすありの径

“Do you know what ‘nasu-ari’ means?” I ask, a twinkle in my eye. “Well, it’s another way to say ‘patience and perseverance,’ and that perfectly describes the story of Nenasu-ari no Michi, the path we stand on right now. This enchanting walkway meanders alongside the Shirakawa River, a waterway steeped in history. Nenasu-ari no Michi is named after a local elementary school known as Yūsai. In Japanese, ‘Yūsai’ literally means ‘having a reason.’ When read backwards, it becomes ‘nasu-ari.’ This act of wordplay captures the spirit of a famous Chinese proverb that encourages patience and perseverance in the face of adversity. Why is this relevant to Nenasu-ari no Michi? Because for centuries, a remarkable stone emerged from the depths of the Shirakawa River right here. It had braved the powerful currents and relentless passage of time.” I pause, letting the image sink in. “The school’s anthem even sings of ‘working hard like the Nenasu-ari,’ a testament to its resilience. In 1954, during waterway construction, this resilient stone jizō was finally unearthed, bringing it to light after hundreds of years. It’s said that the construction foreman, Mr. Nakamuara, consulted with the Yasaka Shrine and a shrine was erected to honor the jizō right here on Nenasu-ari no Michi. So, as you stroll down this charming path, remember the tale of the Nenasu-ari jizō, a symbol of quiet endurance emerging from the river’s embrace.”