本稿は，里川流域山間部に位置する日立市下深荻地区の生活空間の構造を考察したものである．現地調査に基づく内容を主たる資料とし，本稿では住民特性・生活組織・生活行動・土地利用状況をおもな観点として検討を進めた．研究対象地域内の集落では，1960年代後半から農業の兼業化が進んだ．これにより，主力作物であったタバコ栽培の衰退がみられたが，一部の集落ではブドウやリンゴなどの果樹を導入してこれに対応している．高齢化の進む現在の集落内の生活組織は，血縁・地縁的な結びつきが基盤となって全体が構成されている．最近では，果樹栽培とその販売に対応する生産組織も構成された．住民の生活行動は，常陸太田市をはじめとする里川流域の中心地との結びつきが伝統的に強い．しかし，労働行動が日立市や水戸市などの都市部へ及ぶことにより，狭い地域に限定されていた生活行動は空間的拡大とその多様化が進展している．

The present paper attempts to investigate the spatial structure of life space distribution of Shimofukaogi district in Hitachi City, which is located in the Sato river basin. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information. In particular, the president of the commune, some learned persons, well some outstanding farmers were selected to gather information for this study. Based on this investigation, the characteristics life-space distribution, the organization, the sphere of activities and the land use of the study area are described. Our findings are summarized as follows : 1. Villages of Shimofukaogi distrrict are located on the river terrace of the Sato river. People in the study area have made use of the river basin of the Sato river for residential and use of the river basin of the Sato river for residential and farming purposes. There the population ratio of the aged group is steadily increasing from 1960's due to the migration of youths from this district towards neighboring cities and Kanto area. 2. Shimofukaogi district was intensively cultivated with tobacco in the beginning of the 1970's. With the decline of tobacco cultivation, many farmers of Iwaore village in the study area have turned their job from full-time farming to part-time farming, and began to do other jobs, which give a partial and stable income. Therefore, farming in Iwaore village changed to the passive one. On the other hand, farmers of Okajyo village in the same area introduced fruit cultivation that mainly includes grapes and apples. 3. The organization of each village in the Shimofukaogi district is characterized by regional and blood relationships between the dwellers. 4. The spheres of activities have widened with an increase of part-time farmers. The penetration of motorization into the study area and increased accessibility for employment opportunities in neighboring cities (for example, Hitachi City) have substantially contributed to the above mention factor. 5. Types of work activities are identified by examining the characteristics of workers, type and means of work. Activities of farmers, who move on foot, are found within a short range. Moreover there are not any differences between weekdays and Sunday in their activities. Further, non-farmer's activities, on the other hand, extend to neighboring cities beyond the basin of the Sato river. They use motorcycles and automobiles as their main means of transportation. As a result, places of daily activities (work, leisure, rest, etc.) are distinguished spatially and therefore, patterns of their activities do exhibit a regularity.

論説

ARTICLES