dispute over irrigation water distribution
Rural term for quarrels among farmers about sharing water for rice paddies in summer. Often synonymous with 水争い.
See also: 水争い
In the old days, disputes over water distribution often broke out between villages in summer.
An irrigation association was formed to prevent water disputes.
Standard kanji spelling for this rural term.
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; may be easier for learners.
Compound of 水 (water) and 喧嘩 (quarrel). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it likely arose in agricultural communities where irrigation water was a common source of conflict.