Presentation Information
[O12-P19]The Diversity of Water usage in the culture of Kikaijima
*Teresa Sato1,2 (1. Kikai High School, Kagoshima, 2. KIKAI Institute for Coral Reef Sciences)
Keywords:
water culture,ground water,limestone,coral reef islands
Kikaijima, Kagoshima Prefecture, is an uplifted coral reef island composed of the impermeable Shimajiri Group and overlying Ryukyu Limestone (Matsuda et al., 2023). Rainwater rapidly infiltrates the limestone but is retained by the underlying Shimajiri Group. As a result, there are no rivers and there is a dependence on groundwater.
Residents have historically relied on spring water (Naganuma, 1990), which once supported strong links between daily life and culture. The usage of spring water has decreased in recent years. This study examines settlements at different elevations on the island to examine relationships between the residents and spring water usage and explores residents’ perceptions through interviews.
We surveyed settlements at different elevations to compare past and present uses of spring water and to clarify the historical development of water systems such as channels and pipelines. Field interviews were conducted on August 11, 2025, and February 11, 2026. The study sites included Takigawa (approx. 110 m), Nishime (approx. 40 m), Sakiuchi (approx. 15 m), and Isaneku (approx. 28 m). Interviews were conducted with 11 local residents. The questions focused on the use of spring water, changes following the introduction of municipal water systems, and the perceived importance of spring water, addressing both historical and social aspects of water use in each settlement.
In the high-elevation Takigawa settlement, a spring was developed to provide water for crops, farm animals, and washing. It was later reduced to crops and washing, and now also used as a recreational space. In Nishime, spring water was piped to households as a communal system. In low-elevation Sakiuchi, wells were mainly used, while Isaneku had two springs and a waterfall. Before electricity, springs served as essential communal spaces for bathing and cooling for all generations, but these uses have declined. Spring water usage also appears in traditional songs in Sakiuchi and Isaneku. All settlements have water-related rituals. However, systems for conserving and maintaining springs and wells remain insufficient.
The relationship between people and spring water varies with settlement elevation. In higher areas, abundant springs led to water being regarded as sacred. In contrast, connections were weaker in the low-elevation Sakiuchi, while in Isaneku, spring sites functioned as places for intergenerational interaction. These results indicate that differences in elevation and spring availability shape the culture of human–water relationships.
Further research will be conducted to investigate the current cultural conditions and actual usage of spring water in each region. By expanding the scope of the study, both the regional characteristics and common features of the culture will be clarified from a broader perspective. It is hoped that the results of this study will be reflected in future efforts for the conservation and utilization of spring water.
References
Naganuma, N. (1990). Groundwater and its utilization on Kikaijima Island, Amami Islands. Komazawa Geography, Vol. 26, pp. 13–26.
Matsuda, H., Hayashida, M., Chiyonobu, S., & Yamazaki, M. (2023). The Lower Pleistocene Chinen Formation discovered on Kikaijima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, and its significance. Journal of the Geological Society of Japan, 129(1), 153–164.
Residents have historically relied on spring water (Naganuma, 1990), which once supported strong links between daily life and culture. The usage of spring water has decreased in recent years. This study examines settlements at different elevations on the island to examine relationships between the residents and spring water usage and explores residents’ perceptions through interviews.
We surveyed settlements at different elevations to compare past and present uses of spring water and to clarify the historical development of water systems such as channels and pipelines. Field interviews were conducted on August 11, 2025, and February 11, 2026. The study sites included Takigawa (approx. 110 m), Nishime (approx. 40 m), Sakiuchi (approx. 15 m), and Isaneku (approx. 28 m). Interviews were conducted with 11 local residents. The questions focused on the use of spring water, changes following the introduction of municipal water systems, and the perceived importance of spring water, addressing both historical and social aspects of water use in each settlement.
In the high-elevation Takigawa settlement, a spring was developed to provide water for crops, farm animals, and washing. It was later reduced to crops and washing, and now also used as a recreational space. In Nishime, spring water was piped to households as a communal system. In low-elevation Sakiuchi, wells were mainly used, while Isaneku had two springs and a waterfall. Before electricity, springs served as essential communal spaces for bathing and cooling for all generations, but these uses have declined. Spring water usage also appears in traditional songs in Sakiuchi and Isaneku. All settlements have water-related rituals. However, systems for conserving and maintaining springs and wells remain insufficient.
The relationship between people and spring water varies with settlement elevation. In higher areas, abundant springs led to water being regarded as sacred. In contrast, connections were weaker in the low-elevation Sakiuchi, while in Isaneku, spring sites functioned as places for intergenerational interaction. These results indicate that differences in elevation and spring availability shape the culture of human–water relationships.
Further research will be conducted to investigate the current cultural conditions and actual usage of spring water in each region. By expanding the scope of the study, both the regional characteristics and common features of the culture will be clarified from a broader perspective. It is hoped that the results of this study will be reflected in future efforts for the conservation and utilization of spring water.
References
Naganuma, N. (1990). Groundwater and its utilization on Kikaijima Island, Amami Islands. Komazawa Geography, Vol. 26, pp. 13–26.
Matsuda, H., Hayashida, M., Chiyonobu, S., & Yamazaki, M. (2023). The Lower Pleistocene Chinen Formation discovered on Kikaijima Island, Kagoshima Prefecture, and its significance. Journal of the Geological Society of Japan, 129(1), 153–164.