Fushimi (伏見区, -ku) is a ward in the city of Kyoto, in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. Famous places in Fushimi include the Fushimi Inari Shrine, with thousands of torii lining the paths up and down a mountain; Fushimi Castle, originally built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with its rebuilt towers and gold-lined tea-room; and Teradaya, a boat-lodging at which Sakamoto Ryoma was attacked and injured.
Although written with different characters now, the name Fushimi (which used to be its own "town") originally comes from "fusu+mizu", meaning "hidden water" or "underground water". In other words, the location was known for good spring water. The water of Fushimi has particularily soft characteristics, making it an essential component to the particular type of sake brewed in Fushimi. This also explains why the area developed as a sake-brewing center in Kyoto.
Last updated: 06-19-2005 17:41:48
