A Study of Technological Innovation in the Muromachi Period from the Perspective of Non-ferrous Metal Production

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K01111
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 03060:Cultural assets study-related
• Research Institution: National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: KUTSUNA TAKAHIKO 独立行政法人国立科学博物館, 理工学研究部, グループ長 (20574148)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 非鉄金属生産 / 金 / 銀 / 真鍮 / 亜鉛 / 非破壊分析 / 蛍光エックス線分析 / 負ミュオン分析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The following points were elucidated in this study.
(1) Gold production in the Muromachi period was dominated by placer gold panning, while gold production from gold ores through mine development was started in the Sengoku period. (2) Production of silverwork was also seen in Hiraizumi, and silver-copper alloys, etc. were used at the Tosaminato sites and at the sites in Kyoto City, in the Muromachi period. (3) In copper, brass production using copper and calamine was introduced in the Sengoku period on the mainland and earlier in the Shuri castle site. Traces of brass material were confirmed at the Tosaminato sites, and other copper alloys were extensively used in various locations of Japan. (4) Non-destructive depth profiling analysis using negative muon confirmed the gold surface treatment technique of "Irotsuke" on the Gold coins excavated from the Shuri Castle Site.

Free Research Field

保存科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

室町期の非鉄金属生産技術を明確化してその生産活動を明らかにし、前後の時期との差違を明確化することは、室町期を知る新たな視点をもたらすと考える。金生産では室町期は砂金採集が中心であり、銀では各地における利用状況が可視化され、予想以上に金銀の利用があった事が明らかとなった。そのため、続く戦国期における金銀鉱山開発の開始は、大きな変革点であった事が再認識された。銅では、銅合金真鍮の生産について室町期は素材利用はあるものの、鉱物を用いた真鍮の生産自体は戦国期になることや地理的な差異が見られたことは、室町期における大陸との交易などを考える上で重要な視点を提示することができた。