Abstract
The waterway network called Ogawa Waterway which was used as domestic water and garden ponds has been well developed in the castle town of Obata, Gunma Prefecture, and has been an important component of local historic environment. However, because of the lack of historical materials, the formation and the transition of Ogawa Waterway has not been fully clarified. For that reason, the historic value of the waterway has not been understood.
In this study, based on analysis of historical picture maps of the castle town and field survey of the waterway, the formation and the transition of Ogawa Waterway has been revealed. Also, based on a questionnaire survey and a hearing survey to residents in Obata area, current status and transition of the use and the maintenance of Ogawa Waterway has been found out.
Using these findings, the historic value of the waterway has been explained. The authors believe that these study results are useful for maintenance and improvement of the historic environment of the castle town of Obata.
