Cornerstone fixing ceremony for the construction of the Aigawa Dam

Notice

DAM CONSTRUCTION NEWS

Go to the top of the page Dam Construction news

November 14, 2020

On Saturday, November 14, 2020, the cornerstone fixing ceremony for the construction of the Aigawa Dam was held. The cornerstone fixing ceremony is a ceremony to pray for the safety of the construction work and the long-term security of the dam.
The ceremony was preceded by a safety prayer ceremony (organized by the Obayashi JV), at which the foundation stone was exorcised by the Shinto priest of Isora Shrine, and a Shinto skewer was offered by Kenji Hasuwa, president of Obayashi Corporation and other people involved in the construction.
At the cornerstone fixing ceremony hosted by Osaka Prefecture, after a speech by Governor Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture, a progress report by Mr. Ehara, Director of the Osaka Prefecture's Aigawa Dam Construction Office, and congratulatory speeches by the guests, the foundation stone was brought in by Obayashi Corporation JV staff. At the site where the dam embankment was to be constructed, a ceremony of Chintei, Imigote, and Imitsuchi was held, followed by a ceremony of Mainou in a solemn manner.
A 40-ton dump truck was used to place the core material (soil) on top of the foundation stone, and a bulldozer was used to level the site before a vibratory roller was used to compact the soil for burial. The cornerstone fixing ceremony ended without a hitch with the opening of a kusudama (paper ball) and the singing of three chants by the guests of honor.

<Safety Prayers>

1 Purification with water

2 The priest offers a prayer of thanksgiving.

3 Cornerstone to be buried

4 Dedication of the sacred skewer by Mr. Kenji Hasuri, President of Obayashi Corporation

<Cornerstone Fixing Ceremony>

1 The site of the cornerstone fixing ceremony for the Aigawa Dam

2 Guests coming to the ceremony

3 Guests' seats reserved for social distance

4 Greeting by Governor Yoshimura of Osaka Prefecture

5 Progress report by Mr. Ehara, Director of Osaka Prefecture's Aigawa Dam Construction Office

6 Carrying in the foundation stone

7 Ceremony of “Chintei”
A ceremony to fill the foundation of the foundation stone with soil that will serve as the core material. It is meant to pave the way for the construction to proceed.

8 Ceremony of “Imigote”
This is performed to prepare the way for the construction work to proceed.

9 The ritual of the “Imitsuchi”
This ceremony is meant to further strengthen the path of the construction work that has been set by the ceremony of chintei and leveled by the ceremony of imigote.

10 Ceremony of “Mainou”
Core materials are placed by a 40-ton dump truck.

11 Ceremony of “Mainou”
21-ton bulldozer is used to level the site

12 Ceremony of “Mainou”
Compaction by vibrating roller

13 Hurrah three chants, Opening of a kusudama (paper ball)

14 Commemorative photo with guests

Aigawa Dam cornerstone fixing ceremony (approx. 3 min. 52 sec.)
※ Click on the icon above to go to the video clip.