The Mogami River has its source deep in the northern mountains and its upper reaches in Yamagata. After presenting formidable hazards like Goten and Hayabusa, it skirts Mount Itajiki on the north and finally empties into the sea at Sakata. Our boat descended amid luxuriant foliage, the mountains pressing overhead from the left and the right. It was probably similar craft, loaded with sheaves, that the old song meant when it spoke of rice boats.* Travelers can see the cascading waters of Shiraito Falls through gaps in the green leaves. The Sennindo Hall is there too, facing the bank. The swollen waters made the journey hazardous:

samidare o           Bringing together
atsumete hayashi           the summer rains in swiftness:
mogamigawa           Mogami River!