Development of the Kabu-ido system in a ring levee area and its distribution

Abstract

The Kabu-ido system was a customary institution for groundwater management in a ring-levee area which extends in the southern part of Noubi Plain in the Tokai area of Japan. It was created in 1810s and disappeared around 1910s. In Japanese, “Kabu” means “privilege to do a business” and “ido” means “well”; therefore, “Kabu-ido” can be interpreted as “the special right to dig wells,” or well regulation. At the beginning of Meiji era, there were about 80 ring levees in Noubi Plain. The Kabu-ido system was introduced at least in Fukuzuka, Takasu, Shimogasa, Noginomori and Sunomata ring levees. But whether the system existed in other ring levees remains to be investigated. This paper shows areas where the Kabu-ido system was introduced and discusses natural conditions which worked behind the system.