Signals Used in the Early and Mid-Meiji Era (1868-1912)
December 1694

Meiji Sho-chuki Shingo Aizu
[Signals Used in the Early and Mid-Meiji Era (1868-1912)]
38.0 x 54.3 cm Painting in Watercolors and Ink

When no electric bells were available, signals from the pit bottom to the surface were transmitted with a # 8 wire rope at first or a thin zinc wire rope later, which was laid between the two points. If the pit bottom was very deep, relay signal stations were set up. A handle made of steel (in the shape of a right-angled lever whose one hand was longer than the other) to pull the signal wire was installed in each station. If there were no relay stations, the underground transport man had to pull the signal wire rope with all his weight to lift up the hammer installed in the winding machine station.
(1 time: O-rai! [Stop!], 2 times: Make!; Makiage! [Rise!], 3 times: Sase!; Koka! [Down!], 4 times: Oso make!; Yao make! [Rise slowly!], 5 times: Yao sase! [Down slowly!])
Each pit decided on other signals to show each level number or the number of mine cars.

Words in the Round Inset
Kattan kotton!: Rat-a-tat!

Words in the Square Inset
The size of a winding machine was shown by the diameter of its pistons. Winding machines used at small-scale coal pits had pistons 10 or 12 inches in diameter and those used in large-scale coal pits had ones more than 14 inches in diameter.

Part Names of the Winding Machine Shown in the Square Inset
1. Cylinder (Piston)
2. Piston Rod
3. Crosshead
4. Connecting Rod
5. Crank and Crank Pin
6. Bearing
7. Clutch
8. Casing (for the slide valve)
9. Slide Rod
10. Lever; Link Motion
11. Eccentric Rod
12. Sheave
13. Bed (of the whole winding machine)
14. Drum
15. Crosshead Guide
16. Bridge
17. Brake

Oil: An oil lubricator was attached to each frictional part or bearing.


Translation Assisted by Mr. Nathan Johndro

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