The Katsuragi Fan, situated in the south-western of the Yamato Basin is an alluvial fan well cultivated into rich rice-field. To irrigate these fields is used the irrigation tunnel named “Yokoido”, the characteristics of which are as follows;
(1) Most of the“Yokoidos” may be found in the central part of the fan. They have been constructed by digging the underground straight from the scarp of the terraced field or along the river bank, and are generally about one meter in width and depth and from 60 to 80 meters in length.
(2) The temperature of these water is rather low in summer and its quantity, being much varying, is controlled by the natural circumstances. It is to help the shortage of water supply from the pond and the rivers.
(3) The “Yokoidos” seem to have been developed because of the abundance of underground water resourses as well as the gradual increase of rice planting in this area. And it must be noted that they were mostly constructed in Meiji Era.
(4) Since the soil of the fan is much permeable it must be so often consolidated, or mended with the earth brought from other area.

抄録全体を表示

The Heguri Valley is located along the middle course of the Ikoma River, both banks of which consist of wide alluvial plain, and have since long boon cultivated by its native farmers. The community of this valley depends on the water of the Ikoma River and a great many ponds for its water sourse, which is apt to fall short of their demand. Hence so-called Bansui (water-watching) system -a system of strict control over the distribution of water for their rice-planting -is adopted. According to this system, water is distributed among the rice-fields by way of the time schedule. The system is a very old one which has prevailed throughout the community of the Heguri Valley, and makes the local pecuriarity. We can, however, notice some cases changed with the system; the water-supply method at the village of Tsubai is one example. The village above mentioned once had the control of water by way of the sluice of weir, but as too much labour and expense had been required for it, they seceded from its partnership and provided themselves with a modern equipment which enabled them to pump up water directly from the river-bed of the Heguri Valley. The eastern slope of Mt. Ikoma has also boon efficiently cultivated into rice-fields and a strict regulation over the distribution of water has been established there again. Generally speaking, the lower-class peasants are charged for the expense more heavily than the upperclass, and those who are in charge of water-control have big influence over the general administration of the community.

抄録全体を表示

In 612, Mimaji (味摩之) from Backjae (百済) introduced Gigaku dance (伎楽) into Japan. The Japanese court settled him in the town of Sakurai (桜井) and opened the training school. Yasuda Yojurou (保田與重郎) ascertained that Sakurai was located on the present Sakurai Children's Park with the historical evidences. However, those evidences do not trace back beyond the mid-Heian period (平安794-1185).

I investigated a folk song of Saibara (催馬楽) and the history of Gankouji temple (元興寺), which were the pre-Heian records and documents. In addition, considering the distribution of the powers in the seventh century, and the recent excavations, etc., I reached the conclusion that Sakurai was situated around Kougenji temple (向原寺) in the present Asuka town (明日香).

抄録全体を表示