Geographical Studies of Niigata Prefecture, Published 1974, by Kunihiko Tsuchida
[Introduction to Niigata Antiquarian Books] 🧐
"Geographical Studies of Niigata Prefecture" 📗
Published 1974, by Kunihiko Tsuchida
A collection of geographical papers 📖 self-published by Kunihiko Tsuchida, former principal of Nagaoka City Shinmachi Elementary School, featuring 13 selected works from over 30 years of fieldwork.
[Commentary on Contents, etc.] 🧐
• The preface is by Hisao Yamazaki, Professor at the Faculty of Education, Niigata University.
He reflects on their 30-year friendship, which began when the author started geographical research on rice cultivation funded by the Ministry of Education's scientific research grants at the end of the war, and praises the author's accurate and rigorous geographical eye, noting that he "loves geography more than anything."
• In the foreword, the author himself explains the background.
Over 30 years of walking the fields with an interest in local geography, he wrote over 20 research papers.
He compiled and collected them out of fear they would be lost and to bring closure to his research. His integrity as a researcher is evident in the fact that he dared to leave the old studies in their original form without adding revisions.
• The table of contents is divided into four parts: "Industry," "Agriculture," "Inland Water Fisheries," and "Population/Development," containing 13 papers.
• Industry: The formation process of the Tokamachi textile region / Regional formation of the Echigo-Sanjo hardware industry / Sanjo, the town of hardware
• Agriculture: Geographical study of rice cultivation in Koshi District / Geographical study of rice cultivation in Niigata Prefecture / Rice cultivation seasons in Niigata Prefecture / Riverbed degradation of the Shibumi River and agricultural water
• Inland Water Fisheries: Nishikigoi of the Nijumura-go in Echigo / Rainbow trout farming on the Yairobara alluvial fan
• Population/Development: Geographical study of the population of Koshi District / Power source development in Oku-Tadami / History and current status of the Yairobara alluvial fan development / Regional formation of ski resorts along the Joetsu line
A major feature of this book is that it covers local industries throughout the prefecture, structured to capture Niigata's industries and life from multifaceted perspectives: "textiles," "hardware," "rice cultivation," "Nishikigoi," "power development," and "ski resorts."
• A recommended point is that the author's own research journey, from early rice cultivation studies to industrial studies during his prime, is condensed into one volume.
According to the afterword, each paper was cited and introduced in the works and papers of professors at various universities, indicating that they were highly regarded in the geographical academic community at the time.
The mention of receiving the 1st Tokiwa Education Award also conveys that this is a work by a non-academic researcher that was nevertheless recognized by the central academic society.
📖 "30 Years in the Field" as told by paper—Alongside the demanding job of teaching, the author single-mindedly pursued the geographical phenomena of his home, Niigata.
Textiles, hardware, rice cultivation, Nishikigoi, and ski resorts are all built upon reliable data based on field surveys.
For those interested in local industrial history and regional history, this is a rewarding book to read as a primary source 😌
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