296 MINING. 



mining law. We learn from the interesting book of Superin- 

 tendent Brassert also quoted, which treats this subject more fully, 

 that Japan, in 1873 (sixth year Meiji), received its first general 

 mining law. It was modelled after the German law in essentials, 

 although leaving great play for the discretion of the government. 

 To the owner of the soil belong only building stone, sand, gravel, 

 lime — in short, substances available for building and agricultural 

 purposes. On the other hand, all metals and their ores, combus- 

 tible fossils, rock salt, phosphorite, and precious stones are mining 

 property, and subject to the State. The government has free right 

 of disposal over this, which, however, is exercised only in behalf of 

 subjects of the Japanese empire. The investment of foreign capital 

 is forbidden now, as formerly, in mining and in agriculture. 



By far the most and often the very best mines are now owned 

 and worked by private individuals. Of late, the government has 

 however let out several of its best mines at comparatively low rates, 

 after having organized their administration anew with the help of 

 foreigners. It is manifest that it finds its method of administering 

 and operating too costly, and the annual expenses too great to 

 continue them. 



Mining is a separate department of the Kobusho or Bureau ot 

 Public Works, under the name Kozan-kiyoku. This superior 

 mining office represents the eight Bun-kiyoku (branch or mine 

 offices) of the country. 



The following table A gives a summary of the yield of Japanese 

 mines during the five years 1 877-1 881. I have used Momme for 

 gold and silver, and Kuwan-me (pronounced Kamme), for the 

 other products. Table B shows the more important mines of the 

 country, arranged according to the value of their returns in the 

 year 1882.1 It must be borne in mind that i Kuwan-me equals 

 1,000 Momme (3756*5 gramme), and that i Yen equals i dollar. 



^ I am indebted for both these tables to my young friend, the competent and 

 energetic mining engineer, Kurimoto, of the Superior Mining Office, who re- 

 ceived part of his education at the School of Mines in Freiberg. 



