Tojiro Sano and the Influence of British Water Engineering on Early Kobe Water System

Abstract

Kobe Water started the water service in 1900. The original water system was planned by Mr. W. K. Burton (1856-1899), however, the actual construction design works were done by Japanese civil engineers. In particular Tojiro Sano designed Kobe Water's Nunobiki, Karasuhara and Sengari dam. In this paper the author will focus on the dam designer Tojiro and explore the proto-type of Kobe Water's three dams based on literature review, hearing research from a bereaved family of Tojiro and the information from site visit of classic dams in Britain. Also examined the influence of Victorian Water Engineering on early Kobe Water facilities by comparing actual facilities with text book of water supply.