One reason the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is listed as a World Heritage Site is the consideration that was given to the environment from as early as the 16th century, and mine management that operated in harmony with the natural environment. All work done at the mine, from ore mining to refining, was labor intensive, carried out manually and on a small scale, with a re-forestation system that was set up to preserve the natural resources required for fuel. All of this helped to prevent drastic modification of the natural environment.
Picture Scroll of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Property of Toshiro Nakamura)
Over 600 mabu (mine shafts) in which silver was mined can be found in the surrounding mountains. One such mabu is the Ryugenji Mabu, which is located in the Yasumidani Valley, in the inner most part of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. Ryugenji Mabu is open to the public, but access to many areas of the narrow mine shaft is restricted.
The privately owned "Picture Scroll of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine" depicts how the miners worked.
Kanahori enters the mine shaft
[ Digging ]
Inside the mine was completely dark, so miners used lanterns made out of turban shells to light their way. According to a record from 1858, 39 workers were digging for silver ore in two shifts in the Ryugenji Mabu. 24 miners called "kanehori" dug with a chisel, and 10 ten year old boys called "tego" helped with digging work, while five workers carried out other simple jobs.
Digging Tools used in the Edo Period
[ Pumping Out Water ]
Water gushes out from the ground as the shaft reaches deep into the earth. The miners used their physical strength to pump out water with a type of wooden pump.
[ Sending In Air ]
In the depths of the mine, ventilation was extremely poor and many miners fell ill. It is said that they celebrated longevity when they lived to be 30 years old.
[ Carrying Out Silver Ore ]
The work of carrying out ore was called "karayamaoi." The workers picked up the ore from the ground and carried this out on their backs through the narrow tunnel.