II. 



MINING} 



Incorrect Representations of the Mineral Wealth of Japan. Old 

 Method of Mining, and Nezv Attempts to Elevate it. Tabular 

 Viezv of the Productions according to Nicmber, Value, and most 

 Important Mines. Ficrther Particulars concerning the latter, 

 and the single Products. Salt and Alum Production. Pro- 

 ducts of Clay-pits and Stone-quarries. [Herewith a Map.] 



The statistical reports of the products of Japanese mining since 

 the Restoration seem strilcingly out of harmony with the traditions, 

 extending back to the times of Marco Polo, regarding the rich 

 mineral wealth of Japan, and especially the abundance of its 

 precious metals. The land was long known among the Chinese 

 and Arabs, and in Europe also, as the Eldorado of the far East — 

 "das gUldene Ophir"as Kaempfer named it. According to Edrisi, 

 the very dogs of the country wore golden collars, and according to 

 Marco Polo the roofs, floors and window mouldings in the royal 

 palace were of pure gold.- 



^ I have used the following works in treating this subject, as a supplement to 

 my own observations and the friendly oral communications of the Engineers 

 Bansa, Reh and Vogel. 



1. Brassert : "Das japanische Berggesetz von 1873." Zeitschrift fiir Berg- 

 recht. Bd. xxv. (1884), p. i. 



2. Hagmaier : " Reise nach Kosaka and Aufenthalt daselbst." Mittheil. d. 

 deutsch. Ges. Ostasiens. Bd. ii. p. 64. 



3. Netto : " Ueber japanisches Berg- und Hiittenwesen." Mitth. der deutsch. 

 Ges. Ostasiens. Bd. ii. pp. 367-405. 



4. Rosing : " Das Silberbergwerk Innai in Japan." Zeitschr. fiir Berg- 

 Hiitten- and Salinenwesen. Bd. xxxii. (1884), p. 126. 



5. Zappe : " Der Bergbau Japans und seine Haupterzeugnisse." Zeitschr. 

 fiir Berg- Hiitten- und Salinenwesen. Bd. xxvii. (1879), PP- 204-220. 



6. " Geological Survey of Hokkaido." Reports by Lyman and by Munroe. 



7. Lyman: " Geological Surveys of Japan." Reports. 



^ " Chipangu is an island towards the east, in the high seas, 1,500 miles from 

 the continent, and a very large island it is. . . . I will tell you a wonderful 

 thing about the Palace of the Lord of that Island. He has a great palace which 

 is entirely roofed with fine gold, just as churches are roofed with lead, insomuch 

 that it would scarcely be possible to estimate its value. Moreover all the 

 pavements of the palace and the floors of its chambers are entirely of gold, in 

 plates like slabs of stone, a good two-fingers thick ; and the windows also are 

 of gold, so that altogether the richness of the Palace is past all bounds and 

 all belief." — Yule : Marco Polo, vol. ii. p. 235. 



It is known that Columbus, in his ever memorable western voyage, hoped to 

 secure these wonderful treasures of Chipangu, described by his countryman. 



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