This Tuesday’s presentation will provide some insight into the life of a Westerner (me) who has been working at Kyoto University in Japan for several months.
Bipa Canal and hydroelectric power
A few days ago, I wandered to Kyoto Main Station early in the morning to meet a friend from Tokyo, and I saw this ancient building that I had ignored before.
This area is a nice part of Tokyo, along the canals that flow from the aqueduct to the Kamogawa River.
But first, this story— Lake Biwa Canal – This is one of those almost incredible stories of human effort and sacrifice, even though all the suffering is borne by the workers and not the bosses (as usual).
The canal was built in – Meiji era (1868-1912) – This was the period when Japan transitioned from feudalism to a modern industrial nation.
However, during the Meiji era, the imperial capital moved to Tokyo and Kyoto, and economic activity and population declined relatively.
In order to revitalize the local economy, it was decided to build a canal from Lake Biwa (over the northeastern part of the mountains) to Kyoto, which would not only provide water for irrigation and industry, but also serve as a transportation route.
Essentially, they dug canals into the mountains and then followed them around the mountains in a series of concrete channels.
When you’re out walking or biking, you’ll encounter various components of the canal on the east side of Kyoto.
The first canal is about 20 kilometers long and the second parallel canal is about 7.5 kilometers long.
The third branch is located in Sakyo Ward (near Kyoto), with a total length of 3.3 kilometers.
When they began construction in 1885, it was called the “Canal of Hope” – in the hope that it would restore the city’s glory.
About 4 million workers are using hand tools to break up the rock and carrying the debris in hand baskets.
Tunneling in mountains can be dangerous in poor lighting conditions.
Floods often occurred and carried away workers.
Many workers died during the construction phase.
There is much more to write about this project, but you can find more information on this website – The Story of Lake Biwa Canal.
One of the revitalizing aspects of the canal was the construction of a hydroelectric power plant— Keage Power Station – was Japan’s first commercial hydroelectric scheme, providing cheap electricity to local industry in Kyoto.
It allowed the introduction of tram systems and electric lighting in the city, which greatly improved the lives of citizens.
That’s what the old building above is about.
I knew something about the canal and its engineering feats, but seeing the ancient structure and the water flowing through the gate to the river piqued my interest and I went in search of more information.
In fact, this building is the Ebisukawa Power Plant (part of the Kansai Electric Power System), the second power plant close to the river near the Keage Power Plant.
Construction started in November 1912 and was completed in April 1914.
Ebisukawa Power Plant consists of 1 horizontal power plant – Francis turbine – Equipped with a three-phase alternator with an output of 280 kW.
The interesting thing about this power system is that when the second canal was built, they expanded the original Keage Power Station and used the water discharged from it to supply two other nearby power stations, one of which was the Osigawa Power Station.
Although the Keage facility has become a historical site, Omotesigawa Station is still in operation and was renovated in 1993.
So this little story just came about while strolling past a building obscured by trees, and I don’t normally walk or ride down that street.
Why this time?
The favorable green light meant I could keep walking instead of waiting to cross my usual spot by the river!
Old Kyoto Shrine Kitchen and Museum
Last Sunday we went cycling and our destination was – Shimogamo Shrine (
Kamo Mizujinja Shrine (Shimogamo Shrine) – This is a shrine located in the Y-shaped Tadano Mori forest at the confluence of the Kamo and Koya rivers.
It was founded in 678.
This is a very magical place and for 5,000 yen you can visit the museum and old kitchen.
This is the cold storage building layout, with the storage area dug below the ground.
This is a cold storage building connected to the kitchen.
One of the peculiarities of the architecture of this era is that they covered their roofs with very thin layers of birch wood.
This is a close-up of the cold storage roof profile.
This is the oven that keeps the cooking going. The kitchen is separated from the main shrine building and is accessed through a rock garden.
Next to the kitchen is the museum, and these wooden shoes caught my eye.
Imagine walking around in these units!
Later, I also went to the toilet and found that toilet paper still had to be bought according to the paper!
Luckily, my purpose there was less onerous and didn’t require me to remove any coins.
This is the flag and allocator.
That’s enough for today!
(c) Copyright 2023 William Mitchell. all rights reserved.
