論文 Article

Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

EtsukoSHIMOMOTO *This paper describes Waju as a specific Disaster Prevention Method by local
residents. Waju is a society surrounded by a ring-shape embankment that protects thevillage or fields at Nobi plain from the floods of the 3 rivers, Kiso river, Nagara river,and Ibi river.

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号（２０２１）

Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)『人類学研究所 研究論集』第Waju：

Traditionally, residents have been using rich water for transportation and fishing, but
at the same time the rich water causes floods. The knowledge of living in Waju is thewisdom needed to enjoy the rich waters and be safe from floods.
One good example is the Juroku Waju case in Ogaki city Gifu. It is a community
where residents use water together, share a sense of danger of flood risk, and feelthe World of Water. The technologies of water usage are directly related to the floodprevention, and the technology of controlling water is connected to the God of Water
and its ritual.
Disaster prevention is not only a special technology for the resident of Waju, but also
it is related to their daily life. This local disaster prevention will show us the method ofliving with natural disasters in our daily life.

目次 Contents

Keywords

Ⅰ

Introduction

Waju

Ⅱ

The History of Waju

Ⅲ

Water use and flood control in Juroku

Water Use
Flood Prevention
God of water

Waju
Ⅳ Vernacular technology and Ethos of thecommunity
Ⅴ Conclusions

Local Technology

34

Ⅰ

Introduction

consider following government hazard maps andevacuation advisories as disaster prevention.［Katada

1-1 Challenges of preventing
disasters in modern Japan

2012：38-52］Such situations may lead to delayed

What are the necessary things in order to live

about natural disasters is not enough to realize truly

with natural disasters? Mechanism knowledge of

proactive disaster prevention. So we cannot say thatthe occurring disasters, education to convey the

we are living with natural disasters. The important

experience, technology to reduce the damage,thing is that each element becomes meaningful andcommunity collaborations, and disaster prevention

systematic wisdom is applied in our daily life. Whatplans, etc. Perhaps, the essentials of all thesekind of life is that? In this paper, I am going to report

elements, and most importantly, these elements area case study about Waju, which has historicallyconnected, and it is what is being practiced in one’s

created a mechanism for living with natural disasters.

The Japanese archipelago is a natural-disasterIn other words, providing knowledge and services

1-2 What is Waju?

prone area all over the world. Every year,“Wa” means a “circle, ring, surround”, “and Ju

earthquakes, typhoons, heavy rains occur anywhere“means “inside, community”. The word Waju is a

in Japan. From time to time, we get disasterconventional term with multiple meanings. Waju is

information through media. Evacuation drills aredefined as mental equipment and social aspects.

conducted in schools every year. Disaster researchgroups are also doing their best. Advanced civilengineering techniques are also developed. The
administration encouraged the formation of a

1. It is a ring-shape embankment surrounding thehouses and cultivated land in the floodplain
2. It is a community that protects properties fromflood damages in a ring-shape embankment“voluntary disaster prevention organization” in local[Ando 1988：10-12] [Ito 1979：19].

residents. Various elements to overcome the disaster

Examples similar to Waju can be seen inseem to be fully aligned.

the Ganges Brahmaputra Plains and Polder in

However, disaster prevention measures in Japan

Netherlands. In Japan, such society was formed incannot be said to be satisfactory. Katada who is an

the lower tone river basin of Kanto plain and lower

excellent disaster prevention educator pointed out

Kiso River basin in Nobi plain. This paper focuses

that: since the people depend only on the government

on people living in a society called Waju, which waswhen it comes to disaster prevention, they have lost

formed in the lower Kiso river basin of the Nobi

their own initiatives in preventing disasters. One

plain.

example is flood control; in Japan, river embankments

The people in Waju have created a deep connection

have been developed to withstand the heavy rainwith the waters during the repeated floods in history.

that occurs once every 100 years. As a result, floods

They have sought ways to use water and prevent

have been reduced and minor floods are no longer

floods at the same time. We can learn the wisdom

an issue. This is a great achievement, but at theof living with natural disasters according to theirsame time, we have become vulnerable to disasters

lifestyle.

by leaving personal security to the government andmanaging disaster prevention. Advances in disaster
preparedness have increased social and humanvulnerability. Those who lost their initiatives just

1-3 Research history
of Waju

There is some research conducted about Waju

*Nihon Fukushi University

35

Waju: Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

individuals’ life.

evacuations and more damages.

in 1930. We can read the actual history of the Waju

of the past?

region from this research. Research on Waju began

1-4 The uniquenessof Juroku Waju

due to society’s interest in flood issues. [Nakazawa
1936, Matsuo 1939] In 1929, a conflict between the

In these circumstances, Juroku Waju is in aunique position. Juroku Waju is located in Juroku

Jiken”). The Academic attention was turned into

town, Ogaki city, Gifu prefecture, and still maintains

Waju, the special society that caused the conflict,

the Waju embankment.

improvement led to the dispatch of troops (“Saikawa

Since WW2, research papers on Waju havechanges in land use and living spheres, flood control,increased. The main approach was geography andagricultural ritual, etc. [Gifu College of Economics

agriculture. Many Waju studies at that time included

Regional Economic Research 1983]. The report

keywords such as “land improvements” [Sirai 1964,

notes that the land improvement and economic

Kawamoto 1967, Oomot 1975]. The background of thedevelopment have changed the livelihoods and land

problem, you can see that there is an interest on how

usage, but flood control activities and rituals have10

to modernize the Waju area. The Waju area, which

been maintained.

号（２０２１）『人類学研究所 研究論集』第Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)

upstream and downstream inhabitants over the river

rural economists and local influential people wrote
books about Waju.

In the 1980s, Gifu College of Economics conductedjoint research on Juroku Waju, reporting on history,

has a lot of floods but rich in water, has the potential

In “Transforming Waju” 1996, Yasuda, a local

for a granary. As part of the postwar increasing

historian, introduced a case study of Juroku Waju. He

production policy, Waju got the attention. Since then,introduces the activities of flood control and religion

flood damage was reduced, and land improvementof water god, and points out that the high awarenesshas progressed rapidly.

of flood control is maintained.

While the Waju area has been changing in thisIn 2008, the Sociology Laboratory of Nagoya

way, social sciences became interested in Waju’s

University reported “Reconstruction of Water

unique society increased. Ando and Ito systematicallyEnvironment: Case of Ogaki City”. In this report,

clarified the characteristics of Waju’s history and life

Juroku Waju is positioned as an area to maintain theculture from a vast amount of data and fieldwork

community of Waju compared to the urban area of​​

[Ando1975, Ando 1988, Ito 1979]. This valuable

Ogaki City.

research conducted while Waju was changing is still
the basic literature for learning Waju.

These studies emphasizes that while the entire
Waju region is developing, traditional mechanisms

And as Japan’s economy progresses, so does Waju
in Ito’s “Transforming Waju” published in 1996, it isare maintained in Juroku Waju. Juroku Waju is “theWaju” that exists in modern times.

reported that the elucidated characteristics of Waju

I have been doing fieldwork around the Juroku

have been transformed and lost. It is a complete

Waju since 2009 to explore the relationship of thetransformation, not only its infrastructures, such as

peoples in the waters of Waju. I wanted to see notlandscapes and river flows but also from residents’

only the flood but also their whole relationship withawareness.

the water. There are three perspectives: (1) how they

The decreased in Waju’s research since then may

have been using the water, (2) how it is associatednot be unrelated to the loss of Waju properties. Mr.

with flood control, and (3) how spiritual values for

Ito points out that the flood damage in 1976 raisedwater are expressed. The content of this report isawareness of flood control again, but 50 years havebased on my doctoral article published in 2015.

passed since then. More people in the Waju area have

In the following, after describing the history of

not experienced floods. Will this Waju be the legacy

the entire Waju area (Chapter 2), we will examine36the actual conditions of water use and flood control
in the Juroku area (Chapter 3) and discuss its

These lands were not developed until the 17th
century due to floods during heavy rain.
Ando speculates that the first Waju was formed inhere, I would like to discover a concrete image ofNobi Plain in the early 17th century [Ando 1988：320]

living with natural disasters.

. Since then, development has progressed in the 19th

Ⅱ The History of Waju

century. There are two reasons why the developmentof Waju has progressed in the 17th century.
1. The civil engineering technology was developed.

2-1 The Birth of Waju

2. It is necessary to develop newly cultivated lands.

First, let’s discuss the history and background of

Figure 3, right side, is a model of a developmental

Waju in Nobi Plain. The Nobi Plain is located in theprocess in Waju. The Waju was formed during

central part of Japan. The Kiso River, Nagara River,the process of “partial embankment” to “ringand Ibi River flow. These three rivers are collectively

embankment” development. A partial embankment

known as “Kiso-sansen”. The Waju is located in

is an embankment to prevent water from flowing

the downstream area of Kiso-sansen. Its range isto the upstream. The direct hit of the flood can beapproximately 1800 square kilometers (Figure 1).

avoided, but the water can still slowly enter from theAt present, Kiso-sansen is divided into three rivers,

downstream.

but it was man-made only. On the left side of Figure

The next step was to construct a ring-shape

2 is the Kiso-sansen drawn in 1754. It is shown thatembankment to prevent water from entering thesansen is connected by a tributary and flows like adownstream side. This will allow all the lands withinmesh. Many sandbanks were created like an island.

the embankment to be developed as paddy fields andFigure 1. Kiso-sansen in Nobi plain
37

Waju: Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

characteristics. Perform an analysis (Chapter 4). From

『人類学研究所 研究論集』第号（２０２１）

Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)

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Figure 2.
『Satsumahan-Otetsudai-Bushin-Mokuromi- Ezu』
[Yoshioka 1986:13]
Figure 3.
The Stages of Waju’s development[Based on Ando1988：19]

38

making a waterway sluice gate to drain the water

1600 to 1900 is shown. The green line showsin the embankment. In this way, a typical Waju has

the Waju embankment. During the first fifty years

been developed.

of the 17th century, Waju developed significantly in

2-2 The Development ofWaju

the delta area, which was previously undeveloped
at zero meters above sea level. Over the next fifty
years, floodplains will gradually develop. In thisarea, which consists of the natural embankment andrich water while preventing floods. The downstream

back swamp, it is probable that the construction ofarea of Kiso-sansen is rich in water. Therefore,

the Waju embankment made it possible to use themany waterside cultures flourished. Such as waterback swamp. Waju’s development in the 18th century

transportation, rice cultivation in waterways, river

was slower than the 17th century. However, it can befishing, original river fish dishes, etc. And also

seen that the alluvial was developed without the needgroundwater is abundant. There are many flowing

for Waju embankment. The reason why Waju waswells where the water continues to spring.

formed in the alluvial area is that the flood damage

However, the development of Waju causedin the entire area increased due to the development

some water problems. In Figure4 a diagram ofof the downstream area. And then Waju will expand

the developmental process every 50 years from

into the sea through reclamation and it will be

Figure 4. Development history of Waju [Based on Ando 1988]

39

Waju: Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

The Waju has made it possible for residents to useformed from the small remaining lands.

demolished for land development and road

However, thorough Waju development has brought『人類学研究所 研究論集』第号（２０２１）

Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)

10

maintenance.

more negative aspects than the benefits of water.

Residents have lost the environment surrounded

The development of Waju without gaps eliminatedby a ring-shaped embankment. It is no wonder thatthe flood control basins where floods could freely

as flood damage decreases, industrial structures

enter. In addition, sedimentation had progressed due

and motorization changes, the social significance ofto the fixed river channels, and the riverbed had aa community that lives and protects property fromhigher elevation than the land, and the river had

flood damage in a ring-shaped embankment has also

become a ceiling river.

been lost.

Due to these effects, it is difficult to drain out
the water inside the Waju and flood always stays
inside. This situation accelerates as the number of
Waju increases. As a result, floods occur frequently
and caused bigger damage. Rice harvest has been
reduced due to floods. Waju was supposed to becreated to increase rice fields but instead, it was
reduced. This was the contradiction in the circle.

2-3 The Declining of Waju
In the late 19th century, flood damage in thelower Kiso-sansen was severe. Therefore, it wasnecessary to stabilize the flow of the whole river at
the national level, instead of small-scale renovation
work for each area as before. It is a project to makethe water flow to the sea promptly by separating
Kiso-sansen and straightening the river. However,
it is not easy to divert the huge Kiso-sansen. Civil
engineering technology brought from the Westduring the Meiji era made it possible. As a result of

Figure 5.『Santaiga-SuiribunryuKaisyukeiryaku-Zenzu』[Yoshioka 1986:23]

the construction work from 1887 to 1911, the Kiso,

In such situation, the complete ring-shaped

Nagara, and Ibi rivers became independent rivers

embankment in Juroku Waju is maintained up to

and transformed into straight-running rivers (Figure

the present. Why is that so? How are they balancing

5). This drastically improved water stagnation in thewater use with flood control? In the next chapter, welower Kiso Mikawa basin.

will focus on the Juroku Waju.

Kiso-sansen diversion also means no use for Waju
anymore, When the river itself became straight, thering-shaped embankment was cut off.
Furthermore, river renovation started in 1927 tostrengthen the river embankment in the Kiso-sansen.
The introduction of an electric drainage machine
reduced the flood damage in the Waju area.

Ⅲ Water use andflood control
in Juroku Waju
3-1 The Declining of Waju

The need for Waju embankment has diminished,

The reason why Juroku Waju maintains its Waju

and the remaining Waju embankment has been

embankments according to the water environment40

in the 19th century. However, a land improvement

the Alluvial fan. It is known for its self-injecting

project that began in 1954 included a plan to build

groundwater springs below the end of the Alluvial inan embankment on the right bank of the Otani River

the Nobi Plain. In recent years, the area has shrunk,to develop the western part of the Otani River into

but Ogaki City is still famous for its self-injecting

farmland. At that time, there was the opposition who

groundwater. Juroku Waju is not exempted. The

is eliminating the flood control basin would create aquantity is small, but some people come to fetch

flood risk. In order to respond to that opinion, a weir

quality water from a distance.

was built on the right bank of the Otani River [Gifu

Focus on the water environment of Juroku Waju.

Prefecture 2004: 5].

Juroku Waju is located at the junction of the Otani

Ai River and Otani River are at risk of causing

River and Ai River tributaries of the Ibi river (Fig.

floods in Juroku Waju. In the Ai River and Otani

6). Otani River has a “weir”. Weir reduces the risk ofRiver, the water volume tends to rise rapidly because

the embankment to collapse by making a part of thethe distance from the water source to the junction isembankment lower than the surrounding area so thatshort. Because it is a small tributary, it cannot flow

the river overflows when the amount of water in thesmoothly under the influence of the Ibi River, whichriver exceeds a certain amount. In other words, thehas a large flow. There is no place for the water towestern part of the Otani River is a basin for watergo, causing flood damage.

to escape when the Otani River rises.

The worst damage to the Waju is the broken

There was a historical background to the factembankment of the Ai River. Historically, Ai

that the weir was built here. The Otani River wasRiver embankment has been broken many times.

originally a river without an embankment, and at the

According to the records, it has been broken 14 times

time, the area was flooded with water. In the 17th

between 138 years from 1815 to 1953, and it has been

century, Waju embankment was built along the river

broken once every 10 years. After it was damaged

in the eastern part of the Otani River to preventin 1953, Ai River embankment was reinforced andfloodwater intrusion. In other words, there was an

repaired between 1959 and 1964. Since then, Ai Riverembankment only on the left bank of the Otani River.

embankment has not been broken. Flood damage

Since then, the Otani River flood has only flooded

has been reduced by river improvements as in otherthe western basin. The situation did not changeeven if Juroku Waju built the Waju embankment

Waju areas.
However, the eastern part of Juroku Waju is still aflood control basin and the riskof flooding continues. Sixteen
overflows have occurred since
the weir was created in 1959
[Gifu Prefecture 2004: 5]. Photo 1
shows the most recent flood that
overflowed from Otani river weirin 2004. A large area of ​​178ha
was flooded in the Arasaki areaof ​​Ogaki city. However, there
was no major damage during
Juroku Waju because the water
was prevented from flowing in

Figure 6. Water environment in Juroku Waju

41

by the Waju embankment. It

Waju: Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

Juroku Waju is a small Waju located at the end of

『人類学研究所 研究論集』第号（２０２１）

Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)

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Figure 7. Overflowed from Otani River in 2004[Asia Air Survey Co.,Ltd.]means that Waju embankment worked completely.
After that, the weir was raised by 1.05 meters
by renovation work in 2007. After this construction,

and an aging population as is the case in Japan asa whole. They belong to a community sharing oncommon destiny for floods.

no overflow has occurred from the weir to date.

In Juroku town, there are six groups called

However, as long as there is a weir, the risk

“Seko”, which divides the settlements into parcels.

continues. Waju embankments are still needed toRepresentatives from each Seko gather to form

prevent flood damage.

the Juroku town residents’ association. Residents’

3-2 History and Society

association and Seko are the basic structure ofself-governing in Juroku town. Each Seko has a

The village of Juroku Waju has a long history.

designated person in charge of accounting, “Nengyoji”,

However, Waju embankment was built in the“Suibo (flood control officer)”, “Bosai (disasterlatter half of the 19th century. The reason for theprevention officer)”, and “Kairyo-kumiai (improvement

construction of Waju embankment is probably due

cooperatives officer)”. Nengyoji is a leader whoto the development of the downstream area, whichis responsible for information transmission andincreased the impact of flood damage. It is recorded

shrine rituals. Suibo corresponds to flood and Bosai

that it was difficult to negotiate with the surrounding

corresponds to earthquake and fire. Kairyo-kumiai isvillages when constructing a new embankment

responsible for agricultural production. In this way,

because the risk of flooding the surrounding villages

the autonomous organizations in Juroku town are

increases when a new embankment is constructed.

united in autonomy, security, religion, and livelihood.

There are approximately 160 households and 500

96% of the arable land area in Juroku Waju are rice

people living in Juroku town. Ogaki city’s population

fields. Historically, rice cultivation has been their mainincreased significantly during the economic growth

livelihood. It’s one of their satisfactions to produce

period of the 1970s and 1980s. However, in Juroku

lots of rice. In order to keep the residents in line withtown, there was an influx of population from outside,

the use of water agriculture, the Kairyo-kumiai willsuch as the construction of two apartment houses,

set the date for starting the irrigation, pest control,

but the number is small. It can be seen that theand rice planting. Rice farmers must adhere to these

traditional settlement size is maintained. However,common rules.

at present, the number of people per household isdecreasing. They are facing a declining birth rate

42

In the past, everyone goes to the rice field before
dawn to plant rice earlier than anyone.

However, even in Juroku Waju, the changes in themaking a hole in the Waju embankment, which

industrial structure has encouraged the residents to

weakens the embankment and causes a high risk

move away from rice cultivation. Making rice in smallof flood damage. However, the water flowing fromrice fields like Juroku Waju does not make enoughthe mountains are rich in nutrients and suitable formoney. By walking through Juroku Waju, you canagriculture. In addition, the amount of water is larger

see the whole rice field scenery. However, it is kept

than other water sources.
The underground water is a convenient water

fields.

source that keeps on springing when you dig, but it

3-3 Water use

has a low temperature, so it needs to be heated to
be used for agriculture. Also, once you dig, water

Some water resources have been used inwill spring continuously, and the soil will be loose,

Juroku Waju. The water of Ai River (Figure

therefore, caution is needed when using underground8-1), groundwater (Figure 8-2), flowing from thewater. In addition, groundwater that springs invillage upstream called Otare(Figure 8-3), and the

Juroku Waju has different water quality depending

waterworks that come through water pipes(Figureon the area. There are areas where clear water

8-4).

springs and areas where red “Sob-mizu” containing

Each has its own water properties orcharacteristics.

iron is springing. Both can be used for agricultural

For example, Ai River’s water was taken bywater, but Sob-mizu is not suitable for domestic

Figure 8. Water resources
1. River water, 2. Underground water,
3. Otare, 4. Water works.
43

Waju: Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

by only a few inhabitants entrusted with the rice

water.

For domestic water use, flowing well has been

Otare is the least flooding water. However, theuseful for a long time, later on, waterworks wasamount of water is not strong because it flows fromintroduced in 1950. Until today, they are using both.

the neighboring village.

In this way, water usage is directly linked totechnological evolution. For example, the technique ofdrawing water from the river over the embankment,of this is that water can now be controlled only by aand the technique of digging well was special. In

faucet. The amount of water is abundant.

addition, the introduction of electric pumps used forand public agricultural water resources. One example

10

Afterward, the amount of groundwater decreased;

Even if the form of water usage was changed,

therefore the electricity was applied to wells. The

there are parts that cannot be changed. One iswaters from Ai River has not been used since 1953

the joint management of irrigation water. Unlike

after the embankment was destroyed by the flood.

irrigation water that can be used for each house,

Instead, since the year 2000, public agricultural water

irrigation water is directly linked to the flow of water.

was introduced.

It is performed as follows.

号（２０２１）『人類学研究所 研究論集』第Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)

Modern technology gave benefits to waterworks

Different water resources in Juroku Waju havegathering more water from the well, waterworks,changed overtimes. Figure 9 is a chart that sorts the

public agricultural water resources is all majorwater types used in Juroku Waju by time-based onchanges. So it is said that water is more comfortableinterviews and pictures.

and easier to control. Although comfortable water

In the past, it seems that the water resources

resources are available, they are still using multiple

used for agriculture came from Otare, Ai River, andwater sources. The reason behind this is not clear,wells. Since digging well techniques were introduced

but it seems that using many options could help

in the 18th century, the number of wells increases.

lower the risk of flood and control water away.

Figure 9. Changes of water use
44

At present, the common water irrigation system indrills for flood damages(Figure 12-1). Mowing of the

Juroku Waju used for agriculture is the water fromembankments(Figure 12-2). Cleaning waterways in

Otare, electric well and public agricultural water.

Waju (Figure 12-3). It is a duty of all households.
When the flood risk increases, do the following:side of Waju. After opening the intake, close the

The flood season is the season for rice cultivation,waterway gate and open the rice field intake andso the water in Waju is drained. Judging from thefill the rice field with water. After enough water

water level of the river and the amount of rainfall,

was accumulated, fill up the next rice field. In thisresidents are dispatched. The first dispatch will be

way, water is passed from the high lands to thethe residents’ association member and “Nengyoji” oflow lands in Juroku Waju. During the rice planting

each Seko, the second dispatch will be a Suibo (flood

season, the whole Juroku Waju is filled with water.

control officer) of each Seko, and the third dispatch

Thus, the irrigation system is implemented with thewill be one man from every house. They go to thecooperation of the residents.

embankment place assigned for each team, check

3-4 Flood control
Next, I will discuss the resident’s initiatives during
floods. What are the preparations of each household
for flood risk?

and look around and pile up sandbags on dangerous
places and keep monitoring the place. This vigilanceis prioritized over work regardless of occupation.
In this way, the residents are using water andcontrolling floods in Juroku Waju. By knowing the

Daily preparation is as follows: In order to prevent

characteristics, nature of water and cooperation

submerging into water, houses are built in a stoneof the residents, the effectiveness of water control

basement. In wealthy houses, shelters are built ontechnology will increase. Although the burden on thehigher land with stone walls. It is called “Mizuya”.

residents is large, it is a rational mechanism.

(Figure 10) The evacuation boats lifted under theeaves are called “Agebune”(Figure 11).

Figure 10. Mizuya

Figure 11. Agebune

When the flood is rising, do the following: Bring up
the home appliances and assets to the second floor.
This action is called “Mizukatazuke”. And preparation
for black-out or if the gas supply has stopped, people
keep emergency food, cook rice.
What are the preparations for flood in a Waju unit?

Figure 12. Preparations for flood in a Waju unit
1. Disaster prevention drill,
2. Mowing, 3. Cleaning waterways

3-5 Oral traditions and rituals
related to the waters
In addition, there are many oral traditions andrituals related to the waters of Juroku Waju. EachFi r st of a l l , t here is a n a n nua l event a s aritual and oral tradition accurately represents the

preparation for flood control. Disaster prevention

characteristics and natures of water and it is an
45

Waju: Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

These intakes are located on the high northwest

annual event for the residents.
Looking at the Fiture 13-1 drawn in the Edo period,
we can see the water is close to the shrine. This issimilar to the current “Otare”. This shrine is the mostimportant among the Juroku Waju. So, we can say『人類学研究所 研究論集』第号（２０２１）

Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)

10that the shrine was built at the location of the oldest
water source. From this, we can understand theimportance of this water source.
Ai River has another name called “Arakure-gawa(Rough river)”, an uncontrollable river. It’s because thewater here suddenly increases and the embankment
breaks down. There is a water god shrine on theembankment of Ai River (Fiture 13-2). The locationof the shrine tells the point that have a big risk,
and also a ritual is held every year during the flood
season. In this way, residents can remember the risk
on Ai River and recognize the dangerous places.
Juroku Waju has many flowing wells, among which
is a legendary well-known to have been dug by afamous monk with magical power (Fiture 13-3). This
well was so famous that it was written in the Edo
period local magazine as a “well that never dries”. It
is not just this special well that has an oral tradition
associated with it. It is said that there is a water god
in the flowing well. Because of this, the well shouldn’t
be filled up with water to keep space for God’s
blessings. In fact, if you fill up a well that has beendug, there is a possibility that the land might collapse.
Although it is different from the direct water
source, rituals are also held on Waju embankment. It
is a monumental ritual that recorded the name of thepredecessor who built an embankment by struggling
with conflicts with the surrounding villages (Fiture13-4). After the ritual, they clean the waterway. The
residents confirm the importance of the embankmentand collaborating on water control.
As mentioned above, each oral traditions andrituals teach the nature of water that has different
characteristics, and its importance.
Figure 13. Ritual and oral tradition
1. Oldest water source,
2. Water god shrine,
3. Living a water god well46

through active involvement. A Fudo is a word that
expresses “the relationship of society to the earth.” In
the Fudo world, the environment is not just material.
Everything has a meaning and every place has
been given a human value.
In Juroku Waju there are two aspects, the world
two complement each other without contradictions.
In this way, the technology used for water and flood
damage prevention in Juroku Waju, is unique andlocal.
To emphasize these non-generalized technologies
rooted in the locality, Rudolfsky and Illichi used theconcept of “vernacular”. It is born under the “human
Figure 13. Ritual and oral tradition
4. Monumental ritual

Ⅳ Vernaculartechnology andEthos of thecommunity

life that is self-supporting, non-marketable, reciprocaland embedded in life”. It is to be distinguished from“human life derived from a uniform and standardized
services and exchanges provided by specialists”.
The Juroku Waju residents are a community thatuses and controls water base on this vernacularworld. And they have the intent to maintain the
structure of such a community. The obligation to“attend all households” to prevent flood and rituals
is a matter of course as a member of Waju. Hereyou can read the internalized ethical orientation,or ethos, that is shared by the inhabitants of Waju
as a member of the community. This ethos is not
an abstract idea, but it is a practice through actual
flood control, water use, rituals, and accumulated
empirically. In addition, it has been inherited
historically, and the people who live today are
positioned as an extension of the history of thecommunity.

Figure 14. Vernacular technology
These oral traditions and rituals are based on theirwater control experience.

Ⅴ Conclusions
So far, we have seen how the Juroku Waju

In other words, they discover the nature andpeople made their living with water. The two major

characteristics of water, understand it, and express

characteristics of their lives are: First, using water

it symbolically. In particular, it seems the partevery day is connected to flood control. Second,that cannot be controlled by human technology istechnology and worldviews are connected.

expressed as “God”.

Waju is a community that shares “rich water

The philosophers Tetsuro Watsuji and Berqueuse”, “flood control risk”, and the “worldview ofcalled it “Fudo” to see the world as “something”

the divine water”. Actual use of water and flood
47

Waju: Ethos for Water Use and Flood Control

of Fudo and the world of function and material. The

『人類学研究所 研究論集』第号（２０２１）

Research Papers of the Anthropological Institute Vol.10 (2021)

10

control technologies are linked to the world of water

prevention, thorough “vernacularism” and “everyday

including its divinity, also water control technologies

practice” will be an absolute basis. How to design

and water divinity are fused. This is the unique

technology created from universal laws as vernacularcomposition of Waju, which has both the risk andtechnology? And, how do you apply it to yourfear of flooding and abundant water resources.

everyday practice? This wisdom will be needed

Water, a natural thing, is beyond human control.
You can get benefits from it, and you may suffer aby the local residents when considering disasterprevention in the future.

disaster. You need to know the nature of water tocontinually derive benefits and minimize disaster.

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