This dam was built in 1892 as a reservoir for hydroelectric power generation. Water from the upper reaches of the Hozu River was directed to the power room of the Shūseisho, a group of factories established by Shimazu Tadayoshi, the 29th head of the Shimazu family, located north of Sengan-en. By turning cast-iron waterwheels, electricity was supplied to the Shimazu family’s main residence as well as the surrounding Shūseisho area.

The dam's foundation follows traditional Japanese stone masonry techniques, while the dam body incorporates Western architectural elements, such as buttressed retaining walls. At the corners of the dam, outlets were also installed to remove sand and mud, allowing the water flow to be managed efficiently.
Before the hydroelectric facilities were completed, electricity within Sengan-en was supplied by a generator installed at the Shūseikan complex.

However, when power transmission was switched to the Shūseisho system, it’s said that the lighting became noticeably dim due to low voltage. This episode illustrates that hydroelectric technology at the time was still in its early stages of development.

Even so, the dam remains well preserved today and stands as an important historical site that tells the story of Kagoshima’s early electrical infrastructure.