“A bridge shrouded in chilling whispers?” a child’s voice echoed in the distance. We stand now before the 一津屋新橋, a bridge with a grim tale. This bridge, the first across the Kanzaki River where it branches off from the Godo River, carries a haunting legend. A weathered sign north of 一津屋新橋 warns, “Beware the Devil’s Watergate! Do not enter!” This stark message evokes tales of children lost to the currents, adding a layer of unease to this seemingly ordinary structure. The sign’s ominous words, “Devil’s Watergate,” refer to the nearby Ichizuya Sluice Gate. Its original chilling message, captured in vivid red paint on a 2010 Google Street View image, is thankfully fading now, replaced by a newer, less terrifying version. Still, the tragic stories associated with this location persist. Accounts of drownings in the Godo River, often close to children’s homes, are a grim reminder of the dangers hidden beneath the surface. This sign stands as a stark memorial, a chilling reminder of lives lost. 一津屋新橋, though seemingly unconnected to these tragedies, stands as a silent witness. Its proximity to the warning sign and the tragic history of the river give it an undeniable aura of solemnity. As we cross 一津屋新橋, glance west to follow the path of the Godo River. The bridge itself offers a poignant view of the confluence of waters, a reminder of the beauty and the peril they represent.
旧守口市立下島小学校
Shimojima Elementary School’s bell echoed one last time in March 2024. This marked the end of its 49-year history. It