Clear Neighborhood Streams, Colorful with Koi: Gujo
Two tributaries of the Nagara River weave through this town as a part of daily life and a banner-dyeing tradition. In summer, the sounds of vibrant folk dance blend with the sound of rushing water.
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- The Nagara River - How Traditional Crafts and Cultures Thrive Thanks to Abundant, Clear Waters
A Basin of Tradition
One of Japan’s clearest rivers is also one of the most influential rivers in the history of Gifu Prefecture. The Nagara River begins at Mt. Dainichigatake in northern Gifu Prefecture and flows south, cascading through green mountains, the sites of old castles, and town after merchant town. The culture of each of these communities stems from the river; livelihoods of the past still thrive today and are a testament to the Nagara River Basin’s ongoing sustainability. From dyeing to papermaking to sword polishing, the abundant, clean river water is still essential for the traditional crafts Gifu is famous for. It is likewise key to Gifu’s ancient custom of ukai cormorant fishing, for the sweetfish caught and presented to the imperial family can only thrive in a river as pristine as the Nagara. In the following articles, we’ll take a four-day journey along the river to see how it is still key to daily life in four interconnected places: Gujo, Mino, Seki, and Gifu City.
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Sleek Paper and Ostentatious Merchant Homes: Mino
Merchants here depended on the Nagara River to make and ship their famous product. Signs of their success are retained throughout the historical area of town, especially in practical—but showy—building fixtures.
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From Classic Swords to Knives Harder Than Steel: Seki
The modern blade-making industry here is built upon a history of making swords for samurai. Those swords were made possible by the Nagara River and how it provided the necessary natural resources for metalwork.
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Nobunaga’s Bustling River Port and Favorite Ukai Fishing: Gifu City
A castle that served as warlord Oda Nobunaga’s seat of power overlooks the river port city, the economic stronghold of all the Nagara River merchants. An ancient fishing tradition still takes place in the pristine waters.
