A Water Tour of Kansai A Vital Part of Town Life FUKUI Prefecture Ono City Pleasant to drink, with a refreshing flavor. A water we're proud of, say the townspeople. A castle town rich in spirit, Ono is called the Little Kyoto of the Hokuriku region. The water that visitors see bubbling forth around the city originates in flows from the Hakusan mountain range that move underground and then spring up in the city. Called "shozu," or clear water, this water spouts forth in 21 locations around town. The "oshozu" of the Izumi-cho district in particular has formed an integral part of the daily lives of the neighborhood's residents as the source for a communal washing area and for providing a place where the people can interact with one another. For these reasons, Japan's Environ- ment Agency has designated it as one of the country's 100 select fine waters. Furthermore, because it was used by the feudal lords (tonosama), the water is also referred to as "tonosama oshozu." The first use of shozu each day is at the morning market, or asa-ichi. In Ono, the Shichiken morning market has been in existence for some 400 years and is held every day except during the winter. The wives of local farmers display on mats the vegetables picked from their farms, a style still in use from long ago. The seasonal vegetables purchased at the market, including turnips, daikon radishes, and taro, are taken to the oshozu washing area, where the dirt will be washed off as the vendors chat with the neighbors they meet there. Given that so many vegetables need to be washed when it's time to make pickles, this place with its copious amounts of water proves very useful. The women gather from early in the morning and bring the place to life with their chitchat as they work with their hands amid the water. The oshozu washing area also has its rules. The place closest to the source is for drinking, followed by the place for washing vegetables, and then the area for doing laundry. Items such as diapers are washed farthest from the water's source. These are the unspoken rules of nature that represent the spirit of the local residents, who aim to use carefully and without waste this blessing of nature. Even today when all the houses have running water and electrical appliances are readily available, people can still be heard to say that at least clothes should be washed using oshozu. "It seems like the colors become more vivid and you feel refreshed." Shichiken morning market The city of Ono has 21 natural water springs. This water flows from mountains in the Hakusan mountain range that are some 1,000 meters in height. A drinking cup can always be found here. This is a place of relaxation for children and travelers alike. An Oshozu Association composed mainly of local people was formed here in 1965. Its 50 members involve themselves with such activities as keeping the washing area clean. Says association president MIZUGUCHI Masataka, "Oshozu water is truly good to taste. It's something I can boast about whenever I bring it out." Children going home from school stop for a sip before continuing on their way. A pleasantly cool water in summer, a mild water as winter approaches, this oshozu flows with the rhythm of the townspeople's daily lives. Although the constant flow of the water could almost be taken for granted, it's not too much to say how important this water is. And in the small Buddha without name or history seen in the oshozu, one can sense the deep connection that exists between these people and their water. Ono City Tourism Association TEL 0779-65-5521 Hongan shozu water, which forms the habitat of the "itoyo" fish, a designated natural fauna, comes from the same water system. It is said that at one time these fish could also be seen in oshozu. Itoyo BACK NEXT All images Copyright. 1999 Kansai International Public Relations Promotion Office. All Rights Reserved.