Omori Magistrate's Office in Iwami Silver Mine

Omori Magistrate's Office in Iwami Silver Mine

Omori Magistrate's Office

Iwami Silver Mine produced approximately one third of total silver amount in Japan in the late sixteenth century and the beginning of the seventeenth century. As Silver production from Iwami Silver Mine brought wealth to "Edo Bakufu", the central government of Japan ran by TOKUGAWA Clan in the Edo Age (1603-1868), "Edo Bakufu" directly governed Iwami Silver Mine and placed the Omori Magistrate's Office.

Please refer the top page of "Iwami Silver Mine" for the information of other areas:
http://handejapan19.html.xdomain.jp/TravelDestinations/Chugoku/IwamiSilver_E.html

The "Nagayamon" Gate is located at the entrance of the site of the Omori Magistrate's Office. The gate was built in 1815. At the site of the Omori Magistrate's Office, the former "Nima" county office was relocated and reconstructed. The former "Nima" county office was built in 1902.

During the Edo Age, magistrates of Iwami Silver Mine stayed here and governed the silver mine. The first magistrate of Iwami Silver Mine was OKUBO Nagayasu(1545-1613). He used to be a retainer of TAKEDA Shingn(1521-1573) and TAKEDA Katsuyori(1546-1582), until the TAKEDA Clan was fell in 1582. Then, he served for TOKUGAWA Ieyasu(1543-1616), who was the first "Shogun" in the Edo Age. TAKEDA Nagayasu became not only the magistrate of Iwami Silver Mine, but also other major gold and silver mines in Japan. After his death, he was condemned that he made illegal savings to take advantages of his positions.

To the north of the site of Omori Magistrate's Office, Kiyama Shrine is located. Kiyama Shrine was built before the Heian Age (794-1185).

The shrine buildings were destroyed by fire in 1800. The current shrine buildings were rebuilt in 1812. Successive governors of Iwami Silver Mine respected and protected the shrine.

Shogenji Temple is located to the west of the site of Omori Magistrate's Office.

Shogenji Temple was founded in 1612 by TAKEMURA Michikiyo, who was the second magistrate of Iwami Silver Mine. His grave is also located at the temple.

The Omori Magistrate's Office is located at the north end of Iwami Silver Mine. The mining galleries are located approximately four kilometers away to the south from the Omori Magistrate's Office. Along the street from the Omori Magistrate's Office to the mining galleries, a historical district continues.

There are a couple of spacious rooms on the second floor.

You will see a couple of KUMAGAI Residence's warehouses. The KUMAGAI Family also ran a Sake brewery. These warehouses might used to store sake barrels.

From the backyard of the residence, you will see warehouses from the second floor. Red roofing tiles are unique in this area and named "Iwami tiles". There are a lot of houses with "Iwami tiles" in Hiroshima and Shimane Prefectures.

KUMAGAI Residence well maintain a merchet house buildings in the Edo Age and it is designated as an important property of Japan.

To the page of "Iwami Silver Mine"

How to get there
From Matsue, take a Limited Express "Super Marsukaze" or "Super Oki" to Ohdashi. It will take fifty minutes by a Limited Express. Also, raid trans are available. From Ohdashi Station, take a bus to Iwami Silver Mine.

Other Historical Sites near by:
Historical Sites in Iwami Silver Mine
Omori Historical District
Rankanji Temple
Ginzan Area
Yunotsu Port Town