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Agricultural Crises Due to Flood, Drought, and Lack of Sunshine


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                   1803, 6  1803, 7  1803, 8  1803, 9  1803, 10  1803, 11  1803, 12  1804, 1  1804, 2  1804, 3  1804, 4  1804, 5  1804, 6  1804, 7  1804, 8  1804, 9  1804, 10  1804, 11  1804, 12  1805, 1  1805, 2  1805, 3  1805, 4  1805, 5  1805, 6  1805, 7  1805, 8  1805, 9




            Figure 11   Number of Restoration Labourers from June 1803 to September 1805
            Source  Original digitised database from Amakusa-cho Kyoiku-iinkai (1985–1998);
            UkM, Ueda Yoshiuzu Diaries.

            flooding damage. In addition, of course, there was constant concern that
            there would be insufficient rain, as suggested by the rain-seeking rituals,
            since such rituals were performed in more than 70 percent of the years
            observed. In addition, it was confirmed that sunshine was expected in
            July and, at the same time, prompt rains that ensured sunshine and fair
            weather in August. It was confirmed that the rhythm and balance of rain-
            fall and solar radiation are important for rice growth.
               Relationships  with  other  agricultural  products,  such  as wheat  and
            sweet potatoes, were important in sustaining the lives of the villag-
            ers. In this chapter, we have focused only on rice, an important annu-
            al crop. However, in addition to agriculture, the livelihood of the entire
            village was maintained as the pottery stone industry also played an im-
            portant role in the economy, although further comprehensive study of
            the economic situation is needed. In many ways, however, this society
            was heavily dependent on the organic economy, and the influences of
            meteorological phenomena were great. In addition, fluctuating weath-
            er conditions and even extreme weather phenomena were unavoidable
            conditions that led local people to produce sweet potatoes for stockpil-
            ing, take action in various village units, and develop local management
            strategies to discuss with regional governments.


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