, or 
, but today is written 
, meaning “an abundance of trees.”PREFACE
1.Anciently, Kiso was written either , or , but today is written , meaning “an abundance of trees.”
2.The Kiso Mountains average about 8,500 feet above sea level and are considered a part of the Japanese Central Alps. The tallest mountain in this range is Mount Kisokomagatake, which rises 9,698 feet above sea level. Another famous peak, visible from the post town of Magome, is Mount Ena, at 7,188 feet.
3.Road: 
. In this case a place where the traveler walks 
and calls down the gods and spirits 
to accompany him or her. It is interesting that the other major highways in Japan were called do 
, the ordinary word for road or highway. To my limited knowledge, only the Kisoji retains the more mysterious term 
.
INTRODUCTION
1.In this case, Confucius uses the word 
—a road, way, or the Way. The character indicates an intelligent way of moving forward, and ninety-nine out of a hundred translators will choose “the Way” in this passage. I prefer not to, in deference to my own context. Confucius, who was a great walker, would, I think, have approved.
CHAPTER FIVE
1.A play on words: “pine” and “wait” are both pronounced matsu.
2.Goreizan: a traditional Chinese medicine composed of five ingredients and used as a cure for fever, dry throat, and urinary problems. Even today, it is used against edema, nephritis, and hangovers.
CHAPTER SIX
1.Minebari: a kind of alder (Alnus firma).