Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days: (1) Up Cast Tower, (2) Canvas Door
1958 - 1963

Mukashi no Yama: (1) Haiki-to, (2) Bira-mon
[Coal Pits (Yama) in the Old Days: (1) Up Cast Tower, (2) Canvas Door]
21.2 x 30.3 cm Ink Painting

(1) Haiki-to (Up Cast Tube/Tower)
This is also the up cast tube/tower used in Aso San-nai Coal Pit (at the west foot of Kasamatsu Pass) during the decade from 1897 to 1907. Its cross section was 6 shaku (1.8 meters) square and more than 50 shaku (about 15 meters) in height, and was made of wooden panels. It naturally ventilated dirty air from the pit bottom. Of course, the return air was guided by the surplus steam from the exhaust pipes of steam pumps used underground.

(2) Bira-mon (Canvas Door)
The bira-mon installed in underground levels (kanekata) was made of canvas called rongorosu (normally dongorosu: dungaree) which was better than cloth for the jute bag called a "tomai-bukuro." The canvas, being of a higher than normal quality, was often stolen and sometimes used to repair clothing. Making it with spots of coal tar (koru tan) dissuaded potential thieves. Since the door was also stained with coal dust from mine cars, the female atoyama-san (helper) would frown at the dirty cloth door also called a noden (normally noren: curtain).

Text at the Top
This tower fell down because of a typhoon in September, 1905.
The pit was opened in 1896 and closed in 1910.

Lettering on the Flag on the Top of the Pole on the Trestle
Susa-no-kami: Susa-no-o-no-kami; god ruling the earth as well as the underground world


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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