THE TOPOGRAPHY OF SENDAI CASTLE TOWN JUDGED FROM DAILY LIFE WATER (GROUNDWATER)

Abstract

 Masamune Date, the beginner of Sendai Domain moved his residing castle from Iwadeyama (Osaki City, Miyagi Pref.) to Aobayama in Sendai at the end of 1600. It is said he constructed Sendai Castle at Mt. Aobayama in order to continue war readiness against Kagekatsu Uesugi although the battle of Sekigahara had finished in 1600. And he developed the castle town at undeveloped river terrace on opposite shore of Hirose River. It can be said that he judged daily life water could be surely supplied for about 50,000 residents and his retainers. However until this time, there is no research why he could judge that daily life water could be secured at such water inconvenient river terrace. As the result of our detail analysis of geographical and ground survey materials, we could clarify that water storing structure like underground dam was existing in underground aqueous layer and was possible to supply abundant daily life water. We hereby explain about it and we marvel at and admire the judgement in those days.