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Japan - The Mitsui Miike Coal Mine - Elevator for miners
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Japan - The Mitsui Miike Coal Mine - Elevator for miners
Japan - The Mitsui Miike Coal Mine - An Elevator for the miners Date: circa 1910s
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Media ID 11587409
© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection
Arao Coal Elevator Fukuoka Kumamoto Lift Miike Mine Miners Mitsui Omuta Zaibatsu
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This evocative photograph captures the daily life of coal miners at the Mitsui Miike Coal Mine in Japan during the 1910s. Located in the cities of Omuta, Fukuoka, Arao, and Kumamoto in Kyushu, the Miike Coal Mine was one of the largest and most productive coal mines in the world, operated by the powerful Mitsui conglomerate, or zaibatsu. The image shows an elevator, or lift, designed to transport miners and their equipment up and down the deep shafts of the mine. Dressed in heavy work clothes and helmets, the miners can be seen waiting their turn to board the elevator, which would take them to the various levels of the mine where they would work. The cramped and dimly lit space of the elevator contrasts sharply with the bright sunlight filtering through the wooden slats of the shaft, creating a stark reminder of the harsh realities of coal mining. The Mitsui Miike Coal Mine was a symbol of Japan's rapid industrialization during the Meiji period (1868-1912). Coal was a vital resource for powering the country's growing industries, and the mine employed thousands of workers, many of whom lived in company-owned housing and were subject to strict regulations and long working hours. Despite the dangerous conditions and low wages, the mine provided employment opportunities for many in the region, and its productivity helped to fuel Japan's economic growth. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, providing a window into the lives of the miners who labored deep beneath the earth to provide the coal that powered Japan's industrial revolution. It is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by workers in the pursuit of progress and the importance of recognizing the human stories behind the historical events and industries that have shaped our world.
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