It is hard to believe that Shimane, now the second least populous prefecture in Japan, was once home to a silver mine that helped shape the world economy.
In the 16th century, Japan produced about one-third of the world’s silver, and most of it came from the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine. When I visited this World Heritage Site, I was amazed that such a quiet place had once played such an important role in global history.
Walking through the narrow tunnels, I found it hard to imagine that people had dug so deep into the mountain without machines or electricity, relying only on the light of small oil lamps.. I realized that without electric lights, I could never have taken even a single step. Their skill, determination, and courage left a strong impression on me. I felt that only human ambition could have driven people to keep moving forward into such darkness.
At the same time, I learned about the harsh reality of life inside the mine. The air in the tunnels was terrible, and many miners died in their thirties. Yet there was already a form of social welfare. The families of miners who passed away received financial support.
I couldn’t help thinking that human ambition has always driven civilization forward, but it also creates sacrifice. Perhaps that is why societies develop ways to support and protect one another.
For me, Iwami Ginzan was much more than a historic silver mine. It became a place that made me reflect on both the strength of human ambition and the importance of compassion.
石見銀山を歩いていて印象に残ったのは、人間の「欲望」は決して悪いものではなく、社会を前に進める大きな原動力でもある、ということでした。
一方で、その裏には必ず誰かの負担や犠牲が生まれます。だからこそ、人を守る仕組みや支え合う知恵も同時に育まれてきたのでしょう。
人間の欲望と、それを支えようとした人々の知恵。その両方が、この場所には静かに刻まれているように感じました。