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Sugaya Tatara Sannai
Tatara, Japan's Ancient Steel-making Technique
Learn about "Tatara", the steel-making technique for Japanese swords and visit Japan's last remaining original iron smelting furnace at Sugaya Tatara Sannai and the dwellings of the tatara workers.
Tatara is the technique used in Japan to produce the pure steel needed to make Japanese swords. The materials used are iron, sand, and coal. To this day, the steel once used by katana swordsmiths is made using this technique.
Sugaya Tatara Sannai
Sugaya Takadono, the last original tatara furnace building remaining in Japan, is located in the village of Sannai. A community of iron workers used to live here and the area still offers a peek into the life of other times.
The Takadono
At the center of the building is the furnace, Takadono flanked by two-foot bellows that were used to supply the furnace with air. From 1751 the furnace was used for 170 years, until its fire stopped burning 100 years ago.
Location
| Name | Sugaya Tatara Sannai |
|---|---|
| Web Sites | (In Japanese) http://www.tetsunorekishimura.or.jp/sugaya |
| Address | 4210-2 Yoshida, Yoshida-cho, Unnan-shi, Shimane |
| Access | Approx. 50 minutes' drive from Izumo City |
| Business Hours | 09:00 to 17:00 |
| Admission | Adults: 300 yen; Elementary School and Junior High School Students: 200 yen |