338 On Smelting Copper in Japan. 



Plate III. Draining the mine. — In this plate, we have a 

 section of one of the u flute-holes," and three lifting-pumps repre- 

 sented, emptying into each other by means of water-boxes placed 

 on shelves cut in the rock, where also the laborer stands to work 

 the pumps. The lifting-pump is not known to the Chinese, and 

 we were not previously aware that the Japanese were acquainted 

 with it. How invaluable would be the gifts of a steam-engine to 

 the Japanese miners, toiling day and night to raise water from the 

 deep mine, and of a safety-lamp to him who now works by the 

 light of a shell-lamp ! The darkness or the depth of the mine 

 is intimated by lamps placed near the pumps; and the painter 



has very cleverly represented the light proceeding from them by 



leaving a circle of white around the flame, the surrounding rock 

 being a light umber color. 



" In obtaining the ore, as the mine descends deeper and deeper, 

 and the digging is low down, the water bubbles up, making the 

 labor difficult. Therefore wood and bamboo, prepared in pieces 

 about thirteen feet long, are placed one above the other, and these 

 tubes (or pumps) are inserted into water boxes : several tens or 

 hundreds of strokes are required, according as it is deep or shallow. 

 They are worked uninterruptedly, day and night, to draw the 

 water to the surface. In this manner of operation, there is a 

 great consumption of the strength of the workmen, and they 

 cannot progress very fast ; wherefore proper spots are selected for 

 raising the water. Below, in the mine, several perches intervene 

 between them, and there they are also guarded from caving in; 

 they are cut down to those spots in the mine where the water 

 collects, and are called midzu mtki, or water-drain ings. In all 

 of them the wind circulates. The expense of making them in 

 this manner is exceedingly great ; the miners construct them 

 according to their own ideas, and they are indispensable. From 

 thirty to fifty years are occupied in making them." 



Plate IV. Boasting the ore. — In this plate, the artist has 

 apparently endeavored so to foreshorten his drawing, that the roof 

 shall appear high above the kiln; if such was his intention he 

 has rather failed, for the roof is drawn so near to the fire bursting 

 from the kiln, that it would soon be consumed, were it so built. 

 The kiln appears to be built in a solid and permanent manner, 

 but without the covering of straw mentioned in the text. 



" To roast the ore, a kiln must first be built, having vent-holes 

 in it, through which the draft will pass to the fire. Faggots are 

 spread upon the bottom of the kiln, and the ore laid upon them 

 in rows, and thus alternately, faggots and ore, until the kiln is 

 full. A covering of matting, straw, thatch, and other similar 

 things, is then placed over it, and sprinkled with water, and the 

 fire lighted at the mouth. Generally it burns thoroughly in about 

 thirty days, and when cooled is taken out." 





