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[[File:Ugamiga.jpg|right|thumb|320px|An ''ugamigaa'' sacred spring, at Ocean Expo Park in Motobu, reproduced based on one at Nakandakari, Tamagusuku]]
*''Okinawan'': 川 ''(kaa)'' or 樋川 ''(fiijaa)''
*''Okinawan'': 川 ''(kaa)'' or 樋川 ''(fiijaa)''
Natural springs were treasured in pre-modern and early modern [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû]] as one of the chief sources of fresh water. Many springs came to be considered sacred sites, and though no longer as central to daily life as they once were (due to municipal water supplies), a great many are still marked today as sites of worship by small square stones.
Natural springs were treasured in pre-modern and early modern [[Ryukyu Kingdom|Ryûkyû]] as one of the chief sources of fresh water. Many springs came to be considered sacred sites, and though no longer as central to daily life as they once were (due to municipal water supplies), a great many are still marked today as sites of worship by small square stones; these sacred springs are known as ''ugamigaa''.<ref>Explanatory plaques at Ocean Expo Park.[https://www.flickr.com/photos/toranosuke/15022215233/in/photostream/]</ref>
Springs directly accessible at ground level are referred to as ''kaa'' in the [[Okinawan language]], while those where an artificial pipe or trough has been constructed are known as ''fiijaa''.
Springs directly accessible at ground level are referred to as ''kaa'' in the [[Okinawan language]], while those where an artificial pipe or trough has been constructed are known as ''fiijaa''.