Japan (April 2019): Iwami
Ginzan
Iwami Ginzan is a
former silver mining area that played an important role in the economic expansion
of Japan. Active between 1526 and 1923 it reached its production peak in the
16th and 17th centuries during the Edo era. It is located 5-6km inland from the
San-in coast, near the small ports of Yunotsu and Nima, which were then used to ship silver. Today the site
consists of a well-preserved small town (Omori), mining shafts, temples, and
various ruins.
Most of the site is spread along a
pretty river in a narrow valley. Omori is located at the north-east entrance of
the valley.
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Some of the old traditional houses lined
up along the main street of Omori.
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Residence of the Kumagai
family, one of the wealthiest and most influential merchant families in the
area:
- View of a portion of the residence
from outside.
- Small garden near the main entrance.
- Two of the Japanese seven Lucky Gods
welcoming the visitors.
- Former reception room.
- Decoration on a sliding wood panel.
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- Portion of the kitchen.
- Residence′s sake brewery.
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- Paintings and other artifacts on
display on the second floor of the residence.
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In the Ryugenji
Mabu mine shaft created in the 17th century:
- Main tunnel.
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- Side tunnels following mineral veins.
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Gohyaku-rakan, niches carved out from a rock face and
accessible by arched stone bridges. They contain 500 statues of ″rakans″ watching over the souls of the dead miners.
No two statues are identical. [A rakan (Japanese) or arhat (Sanskrit) is a disciple of Buddha who has achieved a
state of liberation close to full enlightenment.]
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Kanzeon-ji (Buddhist temple).
Kigami-jinja (Shinto shrine) at the NE entrance of
Omori.
Ceiling decorations in Kigami-jinja.
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Shogen-ji (Buddhist temple):
- Entrance gate.
- Main hall.
- Many Buddhist temples in Japan have
great wood sculptures. Those of Shogen-ji are
particularly beautiful and expressive.
Seisui-ji (another Buddhist temple).
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Statues in Seisui-ji.
Note the cross on the statue on the right. When Christians were persecuted in
Japan during the Edo and early Meiji eras, they had to conceal their faith. By
praying before such a statue, they looked like Buddhist lay people, but in
reality they prayed to Jesus.
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