「五月雨を　集めて早し　最上川」

20. The river Mogami, Yamagata

The river Mogami, one of the three most rapid Japanese streams, becomes narrow as it flows toward Furukuchi. Basho composed a haiku for his experience of going down to the banks of the river Mogami fed by an early summer rain. 　

Sa-mi-da-re-wo        (An early summer rain)

A-tsu-me-te ha-ya-shi   (gathers and runs fast)

Mo-ga-mi-ga-wa        (the river Mogami)

“The river Mogami gathers an early summer rain and runs fast.”

Season word: Samidare =early summer rain (Summer)