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Iwami Silver Mine
Iwami Silver Mine was located in the middle part of Shimane Prefecture, where used to be "Iwami" Province. From the Kamakura Age (1185-1333), silver was mined at Iwami Silver Mine. The amount of mined silver from Iwai Silver Mine increased at the late sixteenth century and the beginning of the seventeenth century. During this period, the amount of mined silver from Iwami Silver Mine was the highest in Japan. As the amount of mined silver from Japan was one third of the world-wide mined amount in this period, it is considered that Iwami Silver Mine was the world largest silver Mine.The amount of mined silver from Iwami Silver Mine had been reduced during the Edo Age (1603-1868), and it was abandoned in 1943.Many abandoned mining galleries remain at the site of Iwami Silver Mine. Historical districts, which were prospered because of the silver mine, also remain. Because of such historical values of Iwami Silver Mine, it is designated as a world heritage. Iwami Silver Mine consists of three areas. They are "Omori Magistrate's Office", Omori Historical District and "Ginzan Area", which means "Silver Mine". These three areas will be introduced in the following pages. |
