Author(s): Nobuyuki Tamai; Haruhiko Todo; Toshikazu Ikemoto
Linked Author(s): Nobuyuki Tamai
Keywords: Inverted siphon; Tatsumi Canal; Edo period
Abstract: Tatsumi Canal is famous for its long tunnel and an inverted siphon between Kodatsuno terrace and Kanazawa castle with high water head. However, due to lack of documents written at the time of construction, details of neither the chief engineer nor construction design have not been specified. This paper discusses a unique feature applied to tunneling to speed up the construction. The technology is supposed to be transferred from mining which prospered in Kaga feudal domain. The paper clarifies large-scale restoration of the canal after a big earthquake in 1799 through a drawing which is donated to Ishikawa Prefecture in 2016 by a descendant of the director of the restoration and became available publicly. The final destination of the canal is Kanazawa castle and for security reason an underground water pipe, that is, an inverted siphon is required to overcome a moat of the castle. Historical changes of a location of an inlet of the inverted siphon were also clarified by extensive study of traditional drawings.
Year: 2018