Copper Smelting In Japan*

INTRODUCTION THE history of copper metallurgy in Japan goes back into remote ages, of this there is abundant proof, and that the working of this metal is closely connected with the artistic development of this nation is evidenced by some of the glorious monuments which have been produced by these ancient metal workers. The traveler sees to-clay in a perfect state of preservation bronze statues 150 ft. high, and over, 300 ft. in width, and 170 ft. in depth, delicately chased and beautifully marked, and when one reflects that some of them date back to the eighth century A. D., the question naturally suggests itself, how did these ancient metallurgists with their crude and primitive appliances accomplish this stupendous task? The bodies of these images are formed of bronze castings 10 to 12 in. thick, which were gradually built up and soldered together, but other pieces of magnitude, like the heads and other portions of the body are single castings. In many cases another method of construction must have been adopted. The walls of the molds were gradually built up and as the lower portion of the castings cooled, the walls were raised higher and higher and fresh metal must have been added, instead of constructing the whole mold first and then making the casting in one piece. There are still traces of substantial gilding visible on these statues, and how the pious Buddhist priests who were the constructors of them got the precious metal, is preserved in legendary tales.