Tsūjun Bridge

Tsujun Bridge in 2007.Water flows from left to right
Tsūjun Bridge discharges water in May 2007.

Tsūjun Bridge (通潤橋 -kyō) is an aqueduct in Yamato, Kumamoto, Japan. It is an arch bridge completed in 1854 and is 84.0m long. The arch spans 27.3m. It is the largest stone aqueduct in Japan.[1]

The Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs has designated the bridge an Important Cultural Property.[1]

History and Technology

This bridge proves the high level of stone bridge technology at the time it was built. Yasunosuke Futa (1801–1873), who was the head of the then Yabe village, planned and after funding, with the help of the group of 41 stone technicians and many farmers, succeeded in building the bridge in 1854. Its purpose was to let water flow into a higher area (Shiroito Plateau) for farming. After placing wooden frames, stones were placed on the frames, and three stone aqueducts were made. After that, the wooden frames were removed. Because the aqueducts were lower than the upper part of the waterway by 6 metres (20 ft), a reversed siphon mechanism works when water flows through the aqueducts. The stone aqueducts were made watertight with mortar. The bridge was completed in 1854. In order to keep the aqueducts in a perfect condition, water is poured into the river once in a while.

References

  1. 1 2 通潤橋（熊本県）. 文化財の紹介 (in Japanese). Agency for Cultural Affairs. Archived from the original on 10 September 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.

See also

Coordinates: 32°40′54″N 130°59′38″E / 32.68167°N 130.99389°E / 32.68167; 130.99389


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