Wadō Archaeological Site () is the preserved remains of Japan’s earliest known copper mine, located in Chichibu, Saitama Prefecture. The site is famous for the 708 CE discovery of native copper, which prompted the issuance of Japan’s first official coin, the Wadōkaichin (和同開珎), and the start of the Wadō era.Totman, Conrad. Japan: An Environmental History. I.B. Tauris, 2014. ISBN 978-1-78076-506-4.
History In 708, copper ore was discovered in the region then known as Musashi Province. The finding was reported to Empress Genmei, who celebrated the discovery by naming the era “Wadō” (和銅, “Japanese copper”) and commissioning the minting of Japan's first state-sanctioned coin, the Wadōkaichin.Sansom, George. A History of Japan to 1334. Stanford University Press, 1958. ISBN 978-0-8047-0523-3.
The copper mined at Wado became a symbol of national prosperity and marked the beginning of a centralized monetary economy in Japan. Mining activity continued intermittently through the Nara and Edo periods and ceased entirely by the late 20th century.Chichibu City. "和銅遺跡 - Wado Archaeological Site." (https://www.city.chichibu.lg.jp)
Archaeological Features The Wado Archaeological Site includes remains of copper mining operations such as shafts, slag deposits, stone markers, and smelting traces. Interpretive signs and monuments have been installed, and nearby shrines and museums commemorate the site’s historical and cultural value.Chichibu City Museum. "Exhibition Guide: Wadōkaichin and Local Mining History." (https://www.city.chichibu.lg.jp)
A large replica of the Wadōkaichin coin stands near the site, and the adjacent Wadō Park offers educational exhibits and nature trails.Japan Mint Bureau. "History of Japanese Coins." (https://www.mint.go.jp)
Designation The site is recognized as a historic cultural property by Saitama Prefecture and is preserved as an educational and heritage tourism location.Chichibu City. "和銅遺跡 - Wado Archaeological Site." (https://www.city.chichibu.lg.jp) It features prominently in local history education and is a pilgrimage site for those interested in Japanese coinage and early mining history.
Legacy The name “Wadō” survives in regional place names and historical commemorations. The coin that originated here remains one of Japan’s most iconic artifacts, and replicas are used in talismans for wealth and prosperity.Japan Mint Bureau. "History of Japanese Coins." (https://www.mint.go.jp)
See also Wadōkaichin Chichibu Empress Genmei Mining in Japan List of Historic Sites of Japan (Saitama) Gallery
References