Friday, May 2, 2025
At 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 1st, with the spring sun shining brightly and a refreshing breeze blowing through, the 2025 "Eitaibe Dam Water Opening Ceremony" by the Kitaryū Land Improvement District (Chairman Fukase Junichi) was solemnly held.
Etai Dam
Keidaibetsu Dam stores meltwater or rainwater and supplies agricultural water to approximately 2,300 hectares of farmland in the town during the farming season (May to October).
This dam was constructed over a period of 13 years, from 1953 (Showa 28) to 1967 (Showa 42), with the aim of providing an ample supply of water needed for rice cultivation while preventing damage to various facilities through flood control.
Water passing type
During the water-entering ceremony, the shrine, which had been closed by deep snow, is opened and offerings of rice, salt, sake, fish, vegetables, fruits, sweets, etc. are made to pray for a bountiful harvest and safety in the coming year.
Main MC: Shota Kagawa, General Affairs Division, Hokuryu Land Improvement District
The ceremony was conducted in a solemn manner by the master of ceremonies, Shota Kagawa, section chief of the General Affairs Division of the Hokuriku Land Improvement District.
Mr. Kota Onishi, Chief Priest of Fukagawa Daikoku Shrine
Mr. Kota Onishi, the chief priest of Fukagawa Okuni Shrine (Ikkimachi, Fukagawa City), gave a dedication flute and a prayer, and Mr. Junichi Fukase, the chairman of Hokuryu Land Improvement District, Mr. Yasuhiro Sasaki, the mayor of the town, and other participants offered a Shinto offering of tamagushi.
reverentially offering a branch of the sacred tree
- Hokuryu Land Improvement DistrictJunichi Fukase, Chairman
- Mayor of HokuryuMr. Yasuhiro Sasaki
- Kitasorachi Agricultural CooperativeMr. Minoru Nagai, Representative Director of Hokuryu District
- Hokuryu Land Improvement DistrictMr. Naoki Shiraoka, Deputy Chairman
- Chief Auditor, Mr. Yoshitaka Iwakura
- Toru Tanimoto, Chairman of the Management Committee
- Director Akinori Fujii
- Director Kazumi Hirabayashi
- Director Katsuji Saito
- Auditor Atsushi Goto
- Etai DamMr. Hidefumi Okabe, Chief Engineer
- Manager: Hiroto Fujii
Greetings from Junichi Fukase, Chairman of the Land Improvement District
"Thank you very much for attending today's 2025 Land Improvement District 'Edaibetsu Dam Water Opening Ceremony.' I would like to thank you for completing the ceremony without any problems.
We would also like to express our sincere gratitude to Mayor Sasaki, JA District Representative Director Nagai, and Mr. and Mrs. Terauchi from the town for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the ceremony.
As you can probably tell by this time of year, there has been a lot of snow this year, and it has not melted as much as expected, so I think spring work is not progressing as expected.
I don't know what the weather will be like as we move into summer, but if it's a bountiful autumn, I believe everyone's efforts will be rewarded. There have been a series of accidents over the past two years, but I hope this year will be one without any accidents.
"I would like to conclude my remarks at today's water-turning ceremony by praying for everyone's good health and happiness, and for a year free of disasters and injuries," said Chairman Fukase in his opening remarks.
The year of the snake, 2025, is a mysterious year symbolizing change.
We pray to the Snake God, who is said to possess sacred powers and is the god of water and fertility, for bountiful harvests and safe water management this year.
Closing the shrine after the ceremony
With boundless love, gratitude and prayers to the great Etaibetsu Dam, where the sun's great rays are shining down, a refreshing spring breeze is blowing, and pure meltwater is pouring into the fields throughout the town...
Survey boat for the dam lake
reference data
Monument "Toyoho" (Lake Toyoho)
- Quoted from "Hokuryu Land Improvement District History" (published November 3, 2001)
- The inscription on the stone reads "Toyoho":Writing by Kosaku Shinoda, former Minister of Home Affairs and Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission, Member of the House of Representatives
- Units:White Granite
- Monument:black granite
- Inscription:Sakuzo Matsubara, Chairman, Land Improvement District
- Compliments:Hokuryu Town, Mayor Shoichi Mori
Inscription "Houko".
The development of the Hokuryu region began in 1893 when Yoshiue Shoichiro and 20 others cut down the dense forest, which was dark even during the day, and devoted themselves to farming.
In 1911, as a result of discussions, the Setaibetsu Water Supply Association was established, and water rights of 2,145 cubic meters per second were acquired with the goal of opening 1,000 ha of rice paddies, and rice cultivation was begun.
In 1917, the Earthworks Association was approved, and a rich grain-producing region was created throughout the river basin.
However, rice paddy development has far exceeded initial expectations, and development in the hinterland has led to a decrease in the amount of water flowing from the source, causing extreme water shortages year after year.
The construction of this dam was the only way to break the deadlock and further open up the rice paddies. Construction of the dam began in 1953, and was completed after 13 years of work and huge national expenditures.
Of course, we must not forget that the completion of this major project was made possible by the enthusiasm of the local residents, the encouragement and guidance of the pioneers, and the understanding of the authorities.
We erect this monument to express our gratitude to those people and to the technical personnel who were directly responsible for this difficult work.
September 8, 1967 Chairman of the Land Improvement District, Sakuzo Matsuwara
compliment
The long-awaited dam is finally complete. You can see its grandeur now. You will soon discover the infinite benefits.
It is a symbol of eternal hope that regulates floods, irrigates the beautiful fields, and provides a rich resting place for the townspeople. We would like to praise it as "Toyo Lake."
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to all those involved for their enthusiasm and efforts over the years, and pledge to do our utmost for the development of our town, in harmony, cooperation, and solidarity, in response to the completion of this great accomplishment.
September 8, 1967 Mayor of Hokuryu Town, Shoichi Mori
Youtube Video
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