The Design Secret of Kyokusui-no-En’s Meandering Channel

Journal of Visualization, Vol. 11, No. 3 (2008) 265-272

Tsubaki, R.*1, and Nakayama, Y,*2 and Fujita, I.*3

*1 Department of Civil Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8603, Japan.

E-mail: r.tsubaki@gmail.com

*2 Future Technology Research Institute/ Tokai University, 3-56-2 Higashiohizumi, Nerima-ku, Tokyo

178-0063, Japan.

E-mail: y-naka@mug.biglobe.ne.jp

*3 Department of Civil Engineering, Kobe University, Rokkodai-cho, Nada-ku, Kobe 657-8501, Japan.

E-mail: ifujita@kobe-u.ac.jp

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the flow through the

Jonangu channel which is used for ceremonial game called as ‘Kyokusui-no-En’ in Japanese. The

geometry of the channel is measured, a visualization technique is used to measure the actual

flow characteristics, and then a numerical flow model is used to represent the flow including

unsteady flow characteristics. Numerical model of drifting cup is introduced to investigate an

interaction between flow and motion of the cup. Finally, the intention of the channel design is

interpreted from the viewpoint of fluid mechanics using observed and calculated results.

Keywords

Kyokusui-no-en, Large-scale PIV, Shallow water, Numerical model, Irregularly

shaped boundary.