A Study on Agariya, a small house used as an emergency shelter at the time of flood
Ukegawa-district, Hongucho, Tanabe-city, Wakayama
2015 Volume 13 Issue 4 Pages 164-167
Details
2015 Volume 13 Issue 4 Pages 164-167
In Kumano River basin, there are small houses called agariya as emergency shelters at the time of flood located on the hill. The purpose of this study is to define the actual situation of agariya at Ukegawa district, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture by interviews and surveys. The study shows that agariya can be classified into two types. One is landowners and merchants started to build them after the flood disaster occurred in 1889. They are furnished with the kitchen and the bed room for temporary evacuation life. Another one is public house, constructed for victims after 1953 flood, was converted into agariya after they paid off the debts. Usage of agariyas have changed over time as rented houses or a house for elderlies. Even enough many agariyas have been teardown, there are seven agariyas remaining in this district and they are even now useful when flood disasters occur.
