MEGANEBASHI
SPECTACLES BRIDGE--NAGASAKI
THE OLDEST STONE BRIDGE IN JAPAN
HISTORY
It is the 10th bridge along the Nakshima River that runs through Nagasaki and it is the oldest stone bridge in Japan. It was built by Mozi, (Mokunsunyoujo) a Chinese Zen Master and not too shabby with his stone work and bridge building in 1634.He lived up the street at the Kofukiji Temple and one assumes he wanted to cross the river without getting wet.He came from what is now Fuzou City in China. The bridge was destroyed by a flood in 1647 and was rebuilt by Komo Hirato who must have done a better job as it has lasted until 1982 when flood again damaged the bridge; since repaired.
Kofukiji Temple
THE NAME
It was given the name because the reflection looks like a pair of spectacle.Once informally named Meganebashi, it is now offically called that name.
The area to the right of the bridge (picture above) is an interesting older style shopping arcade. We stayed at a hotel there, that was fairly typical Japanese but clean and comfortable.
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