Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days: Air Bridge (Device for Ventilation)
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yama: Fukyo (Tsukiho)
[Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days: Air Bridge (Device for Ventilation)]
21.2 x 30.3 cm Ink Painting

Small-scale coal pits (koyama) where miners only drove their coalfaces to produce as much coal as they could were not well ventilated. In middle and large-scale coal pits, wooden air bridges were built at the crossings of levels and slopes. The roofs of these crossings had to be cut and raised.
Therefore, the more levels increased in number, the more air bridges had to be built. However, the necessary expenses often delayed the construction of new air bridges. Miners at that time worried about air ventilation systems more than nowadays.

Words in the Inset
honsen oroshi (makioroshi): main slope
hon-oroshi fukyo: main slope air bridge
kanekata: level
makitate: turn out; landing
haiki oroshi (paipu oroshi): return air way; damp cast (pipe slope)
suiageru: to siphon up air
fukyo: air bridge


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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