As described in 'Tsurezuregusa' (Essays in Idleness) (in the 51st section) written 100 or more years ago, water wheels were built and used by farmers themselves at that time.
水車はその百年以上も前に、「徒然草」（第五十一段）に記されており、当時には農民達の手で取り付けられていた。