Mie Prefecture's First Mortared-Stone Sabo Dam
The Asake River Sabo Dam (T11-1) (朝明川砂防堰堤（Ｔ11-1）) is an erosion-control (sabo) dam of 1922 in Chikusa, Komono Town, Mie District, Mie Prefecture, and was registered as a Registered Tangible Cultural Property (structure) on September 2, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
The Agency records a masonry dam of mortared stone 58.1 metres wide and 3.6 metres high; registration number 24-0016.
A Sabo Dam on the Asake River
Sabo erosion-control works in the Asake River basin began in 1888, and many dams were built along it (Agency for Cultural Affairs). This one stands on the main stream toward the lower end and is said to be the first mortared-stone sabo dam in Mie Prefecture.
An arched opening at the centre, now filled in, and the inscribed stone above it are its notable design features (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Why It Was Registered
The Agency registered it as a structure that would not be easy to reproduce, a dam showing the high standard of erosion-control engineering of its day.
What to Look For
Look for the filled-in arch at the centre and the inscribed stone above it (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Visiting
It is an erosion-control structure owned by Mie Prefecture, and no official information on visiting was found.
Q&A
- When was the dam built?
- In 1922 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is it built?
- A masonry dam of mortared stone, 58.1 metres wide and 3.6 metres high.
- When did sabo work begin on the river?
- In 1888 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
- How is Komono Chikusa read?
- Ko-mo-no Chi-ku-sa, according to the Japan Post postcode data.
- When was the Asake River Sabo Dam (T11-1) registered?
- On September 2, 1998 (Agency for Cultural Affairs).
Basic Information
| Name | Asake River Sabo Dam (T11-1) (朝明川砂防堰堤（Ｔ11-1）) |
|---|---|
| Location | Chikusa, Komono Town, Mie District, Mie Prefecture |
| Designation | Registered Tangible Cultural Property (Structure) |
| Year Designated | Registered 1998/09/02 (Heisei 10) |
| Quantity | 1 building |
| Dimensions | A masonry dam of mortared stone, 58.1 m wide, 3.6 m high |
| Owner | Mie Prefecture |
| Public Access | No official visiting information |
References
- Asake River Sabo Dam (T11-1) (Database of National Cultural Properties, Agency for Cultural Affairs)
- https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/101/00000687
Last verified: 2026.10.19