The Story of Sakubei Yamamoto
Coal mine documentary paintings by a former coal miner, Sakubei Yamamoto.
By Tagawa City Coal Mining Historical Museum
(c)Yamamoto Family, Tagawa City Coal Mining Historical Museum
397 Sendo to Okajoki [The Barge Driver and the Steam Train] (1965-04) by Sakubei YamamotoTagawa City Coal Mining Historical Museum
The Barge Sailor and the Steam Train
Finding that the expansion of the rail roads made it increasingly difficult to earn a living transporting coal on the river, Sakubei’s father, Fukutaro, who had been a river barge sailor, decided to work in the coal mines. Sakubei, who was still a child, moved with his parents to live in a mining town.
433 Kantera o Sagete Nyuko Suru Boshi [Mother and Children Entering the Pit with Lamps in Hands] (1964/1967) by Sakubei YamamotoTagawa City Coal Mining Historical Museum
Descending into the Mine: Mother and Child
Since both of his parents were working in the coal mine, it was Sakubei's responsibility to look after his younger brother. In those days, it was common for mothers working in the mines to bring their infants with them underground. As a result, older siblings tasked with babysitting would also go down into the mines.
508 E no Egakihajime [The Beginnings of My Painting Hobby] (1967-06) by Sakubei YamamotoTagawa City Coal Mining Historical Museum
Artistic Passion
Sakubei had loved drawing since childhood wer he would draw the warrior figures displayed to celebrate his younger brother’s first May Boy’s Festival. But once he began working in the coal mines, he was left with little time for his passion. It was only after taking his leave from the mines that he began to create detailed paintings that documented life in the mines.
Sakubei began working full-time in the coal mines around the age of 14. In the Chikuho region, many of the coal seams were so thin that miners had to work in sitting or prone positions. Men adept at wielding the pickaxe were recognized as sakiyama (hewers), and women tasked with loading and transporting the coal were described as atoyama (helpers). The coalfaces from which the coal was extracted were known as kiriha. Working in pairs was a common practice in manual coal mining.
Sakubei worked as a blacksmith in the coal mines. Perhaps because of this, he meticulously depicted various devices used in the mines in detailed paintings that documented the coal mining process. These paintings teach us about the detailed aspects of the coal carts and rope connections that were in use at the time.
Portrait of Sakubei Yamamoto
Given that most records from the Chikuho coal fields from that period are official administrative documents, the paintings left by Sakubei Yamamoto provide a unique and invaluable perspective. The life of a coal miner depicted by an actual worker serve as a critical bridge connecting modern viewers with the past. In recognition of their historical value, these works were registered in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme in 2011.
TagawaCity Coal Mining Historical Museum
You are all set!
Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.