How many of you knew that the name of a place could originate from just three wells? Now you do. We are standing before the \u4e09\u4e95\uff08\u7f8e\u4e95\uff09\u767a\u7965\u306e\u5730 Stele. It marks the spot where the name “Mii” or “Mitsu” was born.
This stele commemorates the origin of the place name Mii. Mii can be written as \u7f8e\u4e95 or \u4e09\u4e95. This area was once called Mii-go. It was part of the old Katano County.
Local legend says three wells stood here long ago. These wells gave the area its name. The \u4e09\u4e95\uff08\u7f8e\u4e95\uff09\u767a\u7965\u306e\u5730 Stele tells this story.
According to ancient records, Emperor Shomu ordered three wells to be dug. He instructed Gyoki Bosatsu to dig them in 河北之地. One well was in Kawachi Province Takayasu Village. Another was in the same province Hata Village. The last well was in Katano County. This last well is said to have given rise to the name Mii.
More recently three wells were central to a small settlement. This settlement grew into the modern neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are Minami-Mii-machi and others.
Development has erased much of the past. But the completion of Oakhills Hisari spurred action. The local government wanted to preserve the area’s history. So they erected this stele. It marks the origin of the Mii place name for future generations.
The \u4e09\u4e95\uff08\u7f8e\u4e95\uff09\u767a\u7965\u306e\u5730 Stele was erected in August 1990. It was a project of the Mii 3-chome municipal administration promotion council. It ensures the story of the three wells lives on. The stele is near the entrance of Kashi-no-Ki Park. It stands close to Oakhills Hisari Building 6. The \u4e09\u4e95\uff08\u7f8e\u4e95\uff09\u767a\u7965\u306e\u5730 is marked by a small stone monument. A stainless steel plate is embedded nearby. It is a reminder of the area’s humble origins. Next time you pass a well, think about Mii’s three wells. They are the source of a place name and a local identity.