The Transmission of Folk Knowledge Regarding the Clearing of Snow as Seen Through Changes in Shōsetsu-ike and Kokusetsu-jūtaku

This paper aims to establish two structures―shōsetsu-ike（snow melting ponds）and kokusetsu-jūtaku（houses designed so owners do not need snow cleared as often）―as nonwritten cultural materials and to examine how folk knowledge related to snow removal has been transmitted in areas with heavy snowfall based on how the two structures have changed over time.　In areas with heavy snowfall, shōsetsu-ike are called tane, tanaki, tanage, and ryū-sui-kō. These types of shōsetsu-ike originate from tane-ike, which were pools used to soak rice seeds to stimulate germination. Even after tane-ike were no longer used to soak seeds due to changes in rice cultivation techniques, the name is sometimes still used because of the importance of having the rice seed germinate in the process of planting rice. During on-site investigations at Koakazawa Hamlet in Sakae Village of Nagano Prefectureʼs Shimominochi District, records were made on how types of shōsetsu-ike called tane were set up, the state of ryū-sui-dōro（water-resistant roads that could have water run down them to melt snow）, and individual examples of how snow was cleared over winter. Not only did tane-ike still exist as fish farms, ponds to wash things in, or snow removal ponds, but they also showed signs of still being improved : some were newly set up next to entrances of houses or in places to catch snow falling from roofs, or they had been lined with concrete to allow water to run more smoothly.　Using materials found in the area, local residents had devised ways to turn the shōsetsu-ike from ponds used to soak seeds to those used to melt snow and transmitted them. Houses, on the other hand, changed as residents were encouraged to think of how best they could live in each area through the lifestyle improvement movement and other changes that occurred throughout the years. The houses were then transmitted to local administrators interested in social issues as kokusetsu-jūtaku.　MATSUOKA Toshizo, former Member of the House of Representatives of Japan from Yamagata Prefecture, raised the issue of snow damage and prompted systematic reform through political activities. As one of those changes, the architect KON Wajiro proposed a house that did not need to have snow cleared from the roof so that people could spend the time they would normally use clearing snow on other work and increase their income. But unlike in urban areas, houses in agricultural areas had existed in forms adapted to the climate of the region or the occupation of the owner and it was harder for people to simply accept a proposal from an architect. Therefore, KON focused his attention on holding lectures and design competitions in various areas. Using the work of TAKAHASHI Kihei in Niigata Prefecture as an example, this paper examines how the people who lived in each area devised ways to tailor their lives to occupations or improve the type of house that had traditionally been passed down in the area, and how those improvements were reflected in the houses. Furthermore, houses that have special roofs with steep angles that make clearing snow unnecessary or houses with raised floors to make it easier to clear snow garnered attention from local administrators who viewed them in connection with social issues such as depopulation and ageing of the population. The houses were then promoted and popularized as kokusetsu-jūtaku.