川が(かわが)蜘蛛の足(くもののあし)のように八本の(はっぽんの)水路(すいろ)に分かれて(わかれて)流れていた(ながれていた)

Long ago, a traveler along with several companions departed from Kyoto and was heading toward the eastern provinces. During their long journey, they arrived at a place called Yatsuhashi in Mikawa Province. There, the river flowed divided into eight channels like a spider's legs, and beautiful bridges were built across each of them.