Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace (Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace): Shizuoka’s hidden treasure where a technological masterpiece from the early modern period comes back to life│Shizuoka Japan

Japan is dotted with many historical heritage sites, and there are some places that are especially noteworthy.

This time, let’s focus on the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace located in Izunokuni City, Shizuoka Prefecture.

This place was designated as a national historic site in 1922, and its existence is recognized as a testament to modern Japan’s industrial revolution.

Overview and features of Nirayama reverberatory furnace

Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace is one of two early modern reverberatory furnaces in Japan, and is the only existing reverberatory furnace in the world where cast iron was actually melted.

Its existence is special not only in Japan but also in the world. Here, let’s explore the history, characteristics, and value of visiting Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace.

History of Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace

The history of Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace played a very important role as part of Japan’s modernization and industrial revolution.

In this section, we will explore how the Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace was built and the historical background behind it.

History and background of construction

The construction of Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace began in the era when cast iron production was needed.

After the Opium War in 1840, Nirayama Magistrate Hidetatsu Egawa deemed it necessary to manufacture cast iron as part of his coastal defense policy and proposed the construction of a reverberatory furnace. This proposal was accepted and the decision was made to construct a reverberatory furnace.

Construction began in Shimoda, Izu in 1853, but the site was changed after American sailors from Matthew Perry’s fleet invaded the site.

As a result, construction proceeded as the Nakamura Reverberatory Furnace, which was completed in 1857. Thanks to the efforts of Hidetoshi Egawa and his son Hidetoshi Egawa, the reverberatory furnace was completed. It was only after the Meiji era that it was called Nirayama reverberatory furnace.

Recognized as a heritage of industrial modernization

The Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace was recognized as a national historic site in 1922 in recognition of its importance.

Furthermore, in 2007, it was certified as a modern industrial heritage by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

In 2009, it was provisionally listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in 2015, it was officially registered as “Sites of Japan’s Meiji Industrial Revolution: Iron and Steel Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, and Coal Industry.” Its existence is positioned as an important part of Japan’s industrial history.

The history of the Nirayama reverberatory furnace tells the story of Japan’s progress in modernization and technological innovation. Next, let’s take a closer look at the features of this reverberatory furnace.

Features of Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace

The Nirayama reverberatory furnace has attracted attention due to its unique features. Here, we will introduce some of the features of this reverberatory furnace.

1. Structure of 2 twin, 4 furnaces: The Nirayama reverberatory furnace consists of 2 twin, 4 furnaces with a height of 15.6 meters.
   This multiple reverberatory furnace was designed to efficiently produce large quantities of cast iron.
   
2. Self-manufacturing of cannons: The Nirayama reverberatory furnace was used to self-manufacture the cast iron needed to cast cannons.
   This point contributed to increasing industrial independence in Japan. The completion of the reverberatory furnace made it possible to manufacture cannons domestically.
   
3. Architectural structure: The body of the Nirayama reverberatory furnace is constructed of masonry made of Izu stone (green tuff stone) on the outside, and an arched structure of refractory bricks (fired with soil from Mt. Amagi, Izu) on the inside. .

Technological innovation and the role of reverberatory furnaces

The existence of the Nirayama reverberatory furnace is extremely important as a proof of Japan’s technological innovation and industrial development.

This reverberatory furnace contributed to the improvement of cannon manufacturing and iron casting technology, and was an essential part of national defense for the Shogunate government at the time. It also served as a first step toward modernization, accumulating technical knowledge and experience.

The technology of the Nirayama reverberatory furnace also influenced Japan’s subsequent industrialization.

Cast iron technology became an important element in the development of modern Japanese industries such as railways, shipbuilding, and steel manufacturing. In this way, the Nirayama reverberatory furnace is positioned as the beginning of Japan’s historic industrial revolution.

Basic information about Nirayama reverberatory furnace

Name	Nirayama Reverberatory Furnace ■Location 　268 Naka, Izunokuni City, 　Shizuoka Prefecture ■Business hours 　9:00～17:00 ■Fees 　General : 500 yen 　Students/Children: 50 yen 　*Group discount available ■Parking lot 　Free parking available ■Inquiries 　0559-49-3450 ■Website 　city.izunokuni.shizuoka.jp
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