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Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine : Edo period : Sado City, Niigata Pref. Japan

記事ID:0004479 更新日:2021年3月1日更新 印刷ページ表示

Full-scale development of Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine began in 1601, when Sado was placed under the direct control of the Tokugawa Shogunate. Mine managers called Yamashi were brought to Sado from Iwami, Ikuno, and Kai mines, and cutting-edge techniques in surveying, mining (tunnel mining), and smelting (cupellation, sulfur cementation, salt cementation ) were introduced. These techniques led the Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine to one of the most leading mines in the production of gold in the world. Later, techniques used in Sado would spread all over the country.

"Doyu-no-warito", a hand-dug outcrop

A large-scale opening on top of the mountain was created as a result of surface mining in the Doyu vein. The distinctive wedge-shaped cutout on the top of the mountain is the symbol of the Sado Gold and Silver Mine. Many tunnels still remain and their mouths can be viewed from outside.The lower part was worked in the late 19th century using explosives.

image:”Doyu-no-warito”, a hand-dug outcrop1
Doyu-no-warito opencut, Photo by © Hoichi Nishiyama

image:”Doyu-no-warito”, a hand-dug outcrop2
Lower part of Doyu-no-warito opencut

Kami-Aikawa area, early mining town

A town of mine workers and their families was situated at the foot of mines. During the early development of the gold and silver mine, the community was located in a mountain area next to Tsurushi Silver Mine. Mining to smelting was done by the community. It is said that there were 1,000 houses during its prime in the 17th century.

image:Kami-Aikawa area, early mining town1
Remains of paths and terraced areas in Kami-Aikawa Area

image:Kami-Aikawa area, early mining town2
Lot plan of Kami-Aikawa Area,1752,modified 1812 (Property of Aikawa Folk Museum)

Minamizawa Drainage Tunnel

The Minamizawa Drainage Tunnel was dug only by chisels and hammers so that it had a one-degree inclination pitch from the mine to the sea. They started digging from six points simultaneously in order to shorten the work period. The drainage tunnel was completed in six years with only a slight difference of at most one meter from the original plan for the 922-meter tunnel.

image:Minamizawa Drainage Tunnel
Minamizawa Drainage Tunnel constructed in the 1690s

Sodayu Mabu tunnel

Sodayu Mine was developed during the early stage of mining in Aikawa. It is now open to the public as a museum.

image:Sodayu Mabu tunnel
Entrance of Sodayu Mabu tunnel

Sado Magistrate's Office

The administration headquarters of the gold mine was originally located in Tsurushi. It was relocated to the present location from 1603 to 1604 by administrative head Okubo Nagayasu. Unlike other magistrate offices across the country, Sado's office had mining business facilities including storage houses for gold and silver, fuel, timber and lead rather than just rice.

image:Sado Magistrate's Office1
Sado Magistrate's Office (rebuilt)

image:Sado Magistrate's Office2
Long smelting furnace for cementation process,Ginzan Seriba Kasegikata Shozu,Owned by Sado City Board of Education

image:Sado Magistrate's Office3
Long smelting furnace excavated at Sado Magistrate's Office

image:Sado Magistrate's Office4
Artifacts at Sado Magistrate's Office(National important cultural property), Photo by © Tadahiro Ogawa

The remains of Fukiage Quarry

The sites were quarries where stone materials were quarried to supply plenty of stone mills (upper parts), pieces of stone walls and other applications to Aikawa Gold and Silver Mine and the urban district of Aikawa.
The research showed that almost every section of the area had wedge quarry holes, traces of such holes and chisel marks, typical for quarry remains.

image:The remains of Fukiage Quarry1
Surviving wedged holes, quarrying spot at Fukiage Quarry

image:The remains of Fukiage Quarry2
Ore crushing with stone mills in Sado no kuni kanahori no maki (Property of Aikawa Folk Museum

Kyomachi-Dori Street

This area was a business quarter that stretched along the street. During the Edo period, there were specialty shops of Nishijin-ori, a traditional artistic silk fabric originated in Kyoto, in the street, and the street was named after this.

image:Kyomachi-Dori Street
Kyomachi-dori street remaining vestiges of mining town