Whispers of a bygone era linger around the \u4e5d\u30f6\u6751\u7528\u6c34\u53d6\u6c34\u53e3\u8de1 \u6c34\u9580. It stands as a testament to agricultural ingenuity. Imagine water flowing through this very spot. It once nourished the rice fields of昭島 and 立川 cities. This is the \u4e5d\u30f6\u6751\u7528\u6c34\u53d6\u6c34\u53e3\u8de1 \u6c34\u9580, a historic water intake.
The \u4e5d\u30f6\u6751\u7528\u6c34\u53d6\u6c34\u53e3\u8de1 \u6c34\u9580 served nine villages. Eight were in present-day昭島. One was in 立川. This is how it got its name. The villages relied on the 多摩川 River for water. This intake was crucial for their livelihood.
Look closely at the 御影石. This stone forms the intake. It stretches about five meters wide. Inscribed on it, you can make out some characters. Though worn, they read \”九秔村用水樋管\”. They also say \”明治四十四年” (Meiji 44 or 1911).
Originally, the intake was further upstream. It was near 福生. Sometime between the late Edo and early Meiji periods, it moved. The current location became the new water source for the \u4e5d\u30f6\u6751\u7528\u6c34\u53d6\u6c34\u53e3\u8de1 \u6c34\u9580.
Later, the 村山貯水池 and 山口貯水池 dams were built. This reduced the 多摩川 River’s water level. In 1933, a new intake was built downstream. It was called the 昭和用水堰. However, this original intake was still used until around 1973.
Initially, the dam used 竹蛇籠. These were bamboo baskets to hold back water. They were easily washed away by rain. In 1955, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government built a concrete dam. This provided stability.
In 2001, after four years of work, the dam was rebuilt. At the same time, they renovated the water gate. The current dam is 360 meters long. It is 47.8 kilometers from the 多摩川 River’s mouth.
Notice the two gates. They once controlled the water flow. The pivot for opening and closing them remains. The inscription \”九秔村用水樋管\” is still visible. It is written from right to left.
Imagine the 多摩川 River’s level in the past. Based on the location of the \u4e5d\u30f6\u6751\u7528\u6c34\u53d6\u6c34\u53e3\u8de1 \u6c34\u9580, it was likely higher. Water flowed through the gate. It then passed through a pipe under the embankment. The exit on the other side remains.
Above the pipe exit, you can see a stone arch. Nearby stands a sign explaining the site’s history. A stone monument to the water god also stands near the pipe exit. It was erected in 1911.
The \u4e5d\u30f6\u6751\u7528\u6c34\u53d6\u6c34\u53e3\u8de1 \u6c34\u9580 is now buried in soil. It is no longer in use. Yet, it is a reminder of how people adapted to nature. It shows their dependence on the 多摩川 River for agriculture. Next time, we will explore the 昭和用水堰 downstream. This will allow us to compare the old and the new water systems.