BASIC STUDY ON DESCRIPTIONS OF SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE “NANKI TOKUGAWA-SHI”

Abstract

 This study examined the “Nanki Tokugawa-Shi”, which summarizes the records of the Kishu Clan in the Edo Period. Based on descriptions contained in the “Nanki Tokugawa-Shi”, 45 articles on social infrastructure maintenance were extracted. These 45 articles examined 15 social infrastructure developments. The results showed that there are numerous descriptions of developments related to new rice fields. In addition, many articles were related to the excavation of new irrigation canals, and irrigation facilities. Most of the records were related to floods and the extent of damage caused. Furthermore, there were numerous articles on the remarkable achievements of Saizo Ohata, including the construction of a long canal in the Kishu Domain. However, there were very few articles in the “Nanki Tokugawa-Shi” on Yasobe Tamenaga Izawa who was appointed by the Kishu Clan to the Edo Shogunate.