On the Irrigation Facilities and Water-supply to the Rice-field in the Valley of Heguri, Nara Prefecture

Abstract

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.