Sugaya Tatara Yamauchi

Overview

Sugaya Tatara Yamauchi, located in Okuizumo-cho, Shimane Prefecture, is a historically significant site showcasing the remnants of tatara iron smelting that thrived during the Edo period. It's designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan. Tatara iron smelting was a technique using charcoal and iron sand to produce iron, which was used to create various products such as Japanese swords and farming tools. At Sugaya Yamauchi, you can learn about the process and history of tatara iron smelting. The site also preserves facilities and tools used in the process, allowing you to appreciate the remarkable technology of the time. For example, the tatara-ba (smelting furnace) measures approximately 10 meters high, 5 meters wide, and 3 meters deep, where charcoal and iron sand were fed into and iron was smelted at high temperatures. The fuigo (bellows) used to raise the furnace temperature by manually supplying air. By visiting these facilities and tools, you can imagine the process of tatara iron smelting. Furthermore, Yamauchi also features a museum and houses that showcase the lives of those involved in tatara iron smelting. These museums offer insights into the history, techniques, and daily lives of the people involved. Some houses even allow you to experience the lifestyle of the past. Sugaya Tatara Yamauchi is a fascinating tourist spot where you can touch upon Japanese history and culture and appreciate the remarkable technology of tatara iron smelting.