Overview:

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Ireland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture, Japan. It was active from the 16th to the 19th century and was one of the largest silver mines in the world during this period. The inventive techniques used to extract silver from ore and the surrounding landscape are testament to the engineering skills of the miners that worked the mine. The site also reflects the changes in social structure during this period as well as the culture and technology of the Japanese during this time. It is a unique testament to the social, industrial and cultural history of Japan. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Ireland
Prominent Features:

* The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is located in the Shimane Prefecture, in the western part of Japan. * It was created as early as 1526 by the local ruler and further expanded by local mine owners. * The mine reached its peak production of 1.17 tonnes of silver per year during the early 19th century. * Iwami Ginzan was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007, recognizing its cultural and historical value. * The site is spread over 350 hectares and comprises of 450 high-tonnage silver mines, thousands of shafts and trenches, and 120 kilometers of tunnels. * It is considered to be the world's last ancient silver mine, and is renowned for its intricately designed mine works, which feature terraces, ponds, water channels and residences. * The mine works demonstrate a phenomenal level of engineering and technical accomplishment, and provide insight into traditional Japanese mining practices. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Ireland.

History:

The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the town of Oda, Shimane Prefecture in western Japan. Dating back to the 16th century, the mine was the source of immense amounts of silver, making it one of the most productive silver mines in the world. It is estimated that over 3,000 tons of silver were mined from the site and much of this was shipped out to foreign markets, most notably to Europe. The connection between the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and Ireland began in the 1630s when, after hearing tales of the precious metal being mined in Japan, the Irish king Charles I sent a diplomatic mission to explore the possibility of trading silver with Japan. The mission was successful and, in 1633, Japan officially opened its doors to foreign traders. In 1634 an Irish trading post was established on the island of Hirado in Nagasaki where the Irish traders became the first Europeans to do trade with the Japanese. Although it is unknown exactly how much silver was shipped to Ireland, it is known that Irish traders had a positive relationship with the silver miners in Iwami and regularly imported silver from Japan. In the late 1600s the silver was primarily being used to produce coins but over time it was also used in other forms such as jewelry. The trade between Ireland and Japan was disrupted in the early 1700s due to the increasing power of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan which imposed tight restrictions on foreign trade. As a result, silver shipments to Ireland dropped drastically, ceasing entirely in 1702. Today, the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine continues to hold a special place in Irish history as a unique reminder of the vibrant trade relationships between Ireland and Japan that once existed in the 17th and 18th centuries. Visit one of the famous monuments of Ireland with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

-The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine is located in the Shimane Prefecture of southwestern Japan. It is considered to be one of the oldest mines in Japan, and one of the largest silver mines in the world. -The mine was originally discovered in 1526 by the famous swordsmith, Murasaki Shonen. The silver ore mined from Iwami Ginzan was used to finance many of the activities associated with the Keicho Period of Japanese history, which began in 1596. -The famous shogun, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, even gave permission for the silver being mined from Iwami Ginzan to be used to fund his military campaigns, such as the invasion of Korea in 1592. -The construction of the silver mine began in 1580 and went on for 300 years, with 8,600 people being employed in the operations of the Iwami Ginzan and its accompanying villages. -The mine was considered to be a global centre of silver production, producing an incredible 73 million ounces of silver in its lifetime. -The mine was abandoned in 1923, after almost 250 years of silver production. -In 2007, the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its associated villages were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in order to help preserve the unique cultural heritage of the area. One of the historical monuments of Ireland, it tells the story of a bygone era