Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Strolling through Nishi-ward: Oasis in Kobai-cho and Itohei



There is a spring water coming out at the shadow of stonewall at a housing complex located at Hanasaki-cho 4-chome. It doesn’t have a particular name, but it is said the water comes from Kamon mountain. Even during Great Kanto earthquake, the spring never dried out and it wet people’s throats. According to Health and Welfare Center, the water is not suitable as drinking water. However, many people still come to draw water from the spring.



By the way, there are many stonewall around the area. It used to be a mansion of wealthy merchant Wakao from Koshu. The mansion was owned by Heihachi Tanaka, a merchant also known as nickname of “Tenka no Itohei” before Wakao. Heihachi built up a massive amount of fortune with this skills and gut. Then he got engaged in national affairs. He also joined Mito Rebellion. Later he went bankruptcy so he started working again as a laborer at a port. His life was filled with full of ups and downs. However, he passed away only at the age of 51.



Writing and picture by Tai Hasewaga (Nishi ward Cultural Association/Chairman of Kiko Society)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition between November 1997 and April 2004. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published November in 2002)