also: そうずがわ
Sanzu River; River of Three Crossings
In Japanese Buddhism, the river that the dead must cross; often compared to the River Styx. The reading さんずがわ is standard, while そうずがわ is rare.
See also: 三途の川
It is said that when crossing the Sanzu River, the deceased pays six mon coins.
It is believed that the Sanzu River flows between this world and the next.
Same meaning; 三途の川 is a slightly longer, more explanatory phrase, while 三途川 is a compound noun.
Standard kanji spelling for the Buddhist river.
Rarely used kanji form with the reading そうずがわ.
From Buddhist terminology; 三途 (sanzu, 'three ways') refers to the three crossings of the river based on one's deeds, and 川 (kawa, 'river'). The reading そうずがわ is a rare variant.