Chapter Ten: Picture scrolls as a historical source on Japanese mining

Picture scrolls, renowned for their literary and visual significance in Japan, offer valuable historical insights into mining practices. This study evaluates the reliability of Sado scrolls as historical sources by analyzing their illustrations in relation to Japan's mining history, particularly gold and silver mines on Sado Island. The research establishes that these scrolls provide a culturally rich and factually grounded account of early modern Japanese mining, bridging visual art with historical documentation. By contextualizing the scrolls within broader cultural frameworks, the study underscores their potential as both artistic and scholarly resources.

Mathias, R. (2013). Chapter Ten: Picture scrolls as a historical source on Japanese mining. Mining, Monies, and Culture in Early Modern Societies, 289–310. https://doi.org/10.1163/9789004253568_012