Wanouchi, Gifu

Wanouchi is located in the northwestern portion of the Nōbi Plain in southwestern Gifu Prefecture. The kanji for Wanouchi (輪之内) literally translates to "within a circle." This name is derived from the fact that Wanouchi is situated between the Ibi River and the Nagara River. Historically, these two rivers ran together and the area known as Wanouchi today was one of many ring-levees in the middle of the river. Naturally, these levees were prone to frequent flooding and so the waters had to be diverted. Hence, Wanouchi's physical environment and history has been greatly shaped by the constant threat of floods. The town has a climate characterized by characterized by hot and humid summers, and mild winters (Köppen climate classification Cfa). The average annual temperature in Wanouchi is 15.4 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1828 mm with September as the wettest month.The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 27.7 °C, and lowest in January, at around 4.1 °C.[2]

Per Japanese census data,[3] the population of Wanouchi has steadily grown over the past 40 years.

The area around Wanouchi was part of traditional Mino Province. During the Edo period, it was mostly controlled by Ōgaki Domain. In 1754, the Tokugawa shogunate, ordered the powerful Satsuma Domain from Kagoshima to build embankments in order to divert the rivers in the area for flood control and as a measure to drain off Satsuma Domain's wealth to reduce its potential as a threat to Tokugawa rule. This was later known as the Hōreki Age River Improvement Incident. The construction of these banks proved extremely dangerous and difficult, hampered both by nature and by obstruction from the Tokugawa shogunate. It is said that a human sacrifice was made in the Wanouchi area during the construction when a local retainer voluntarily gave his life by remaining under the rushing waters in order to keep a foundation pillar from moving until it could be secured from above. As well as aiding in the construction, this sacrifice was also treated as an offering to the gods ensuring the successful completing of the project. Several Satsuma samurai associated with the project committed "seppuku" (ritual suicide). The construction was completed in 1755. More than 80 lives were lost. The graves of 8 of these men are located around Wanouchi, serving as a reminder of the sacrifices made so that people could live in a safer environment. Due to the construction of many banks over the last 200 years, the waters surrounding Wanouchi have become two separate rivers, the Ibi River and Nagara River. The area located between the two rivers is referred to as the "Waju-tei" (輪中堤 or Waju levee). The name Wanouchi originates from this word and means "the town in Waju-tei".

During the post-Meiji restoration cadastral reforms, the area was organised into Anpachi District, Gifu. In 1954, the three villages Niki, Fukuzuka, and Oyabu were merged to form the town of Wanouchi. In 1976, the Nagara River swelled and flooded Wanouchi's neighbouring towns, Anpachi, Gifu and Sunomata, Gifu. However, the people of Wanouchi were protected from the floods because of the strong embankments.

Wanouchi's main areas of employment is in the manufacturing industry. However, many citizens also derive income from agricultural activities.

Wanouchi has three public elementary schools and one public middle school operated by the town government. The town does not have a high school.

• - Hinton, Alberta, Canada, since 1998. This partnership is primarily for educational and cultural exchange. Every year, students from Wanouchi Junior High School travel to Hinton to learn about Canadian life and culture while living with a host family. Every 2 years, students from Hinton's Harry Collinge Junior High School visit Wanouchi and live with local families.

Media related to Wanouchi, Gifu at Wikimedia Commons

• Wanouchi official website (in Japanese)