Some Problems of the Reclamation of Kojima Bay Since the Meiji Restoration (1868) : With Special Reference to Murder's Plan and the Fujita family, Enterprizer of the Reclamation

Abstract

The Kojima Reclamation Area is one of the largest reclamation areas from the sea in the world. With the development of the reclamation since 16th century, Kojima Bay has been in size and has now turned to a fresh water lake covering only l,100 ha. Surprisingly a large rice farm was seen there on capitalist principles, and this stood in sharp contrast to peasant agriculture. Different types of reclamation operatlon and different degrees of preservation of the natural fertility of the reclaimed land are still vividly refiected in the productivity of crops and the landscape of villages. The purpose of this paper is to understand the role which Anthonie Thomas Lubertus Rouwenhorst Mulder (1845-1901) a Dutch engineer, played in the reclamation plan and the nature of the Fujita family who took the most important part in the reclamation enterprise. It is also aimed at making the plan and practice of reclamation clear and at pointing out some problems in this connection. Anthonie Thomas Lubertus Rouwenhorst Mulder was born in Leyden, the Netherlands, and educated at the technical college. Deelft. He was a specialist in hydraulics and harbour construction but not in agricaltural engineering. He was employed by the Government of Japan and stayed in Japan during the period from 1879 to 1890 ; and his contribution was marked The so-called Mulder plan for Kojima Bay had two aims: the improvement of traffic and transportation, and the reclamation. But only this was put into practice and is well known. The Fujita family, who acqired the right to reclaim the land covering 5,000 ha in Kojima Bay, was one of the typical zaibatsu. Baron (then Mr.) Denzaburo Fujita, the founder of the Fujita zaibatsu, was financed by the Mori family, ex-feudal lords of the choshu Province, by the good officed of Baron (then Mr.) Kaoru Inoue. The reclamation of the Kojima Bay was operated under the supervison of the Mori family for some years.