THE MOGAMI RIVER

The Mogami River rises in the highlands of the far north. In its upper reaches here in Yamagata, there are some exceedingly dangerous rapids, such as "the Go Stones," where rocks are scattered about like black counters on a go board, and "the Peregrine Falcon," where the waters are as swift as a falcoln's flight. Flowing north of Mount Itajiki, mentioned in an old poem, the Mogami finally empties into the sea at Sakata. With mountains hanging over us on either side, we glided through thick foliage as we descended the river. Normally used for transporting rice, our craft was apparently called a "rice boat." Not far from where we could see the white threads of Shiraito Falls through spaces in the greenery stood Sennin-do, "the Hall of the Mountain Wizard," poised on the edge of the waters. The river was swollen with the rains and our journey was a perilous one.

Gathering as it goes
All the rains of June, how swiftly
The Mogami flows!