Archive of documents concerning the manufacture of salt in the town of Oguni in today’s Yamagata Prefecture

Two formats (190 x 152 mm. & 150 x 365 mm.). [Oguni machi, Kotamagawa 小国町小玉川]: 1865-67.


This archive describes the manufacture and regulation of yamajio mountain salt in the town of Oguni machi, on the Tama River in the mountainous area of Yamagata Prefecture, north of Niigata. The onsen springs of the town are rich in minerals and were used to manufacture salt for local and regional inhabitants. Today, there are very few producers of mountain salt, due to the laborious process, but it is highly valued by connoisseurs of salt for its delicate taste.


Our archive consists of:


1. Manuscript drawing (243 x 327 mm.) showing the process of spraying the water on well-ventilated racks covered with branches of the shiba 柴 tree. This allowed the mineral-rich water to slowly drip into a large, deep basin. The gathered water would then be boiled down, leaving salt crystals.


2 & 3. The first two notebooks (10 & 5 leaves), dated February and August 1865, contain details of production of the salt and names of those involved.


4. This notebook (11 leaves), dated February 1865, is entirely devoted to the business of making and selling salt, with records of quantities, sellers and buyers, prices received, etc;


5. A document (14 leaves) from the local magistrate’s office, dated February 1865, gives the names of salt manufacturers.


6. A notebook (5 leaves) produced by the local magistrate’s office regarding the sale and distribution of salt to many wholesalers in the city of Yonezawa (with their seals), dated October 1866. Somewhat stained but very legible.


7. Dated 1867, this notebook (8 leaves) describes in great detail the process of saltmaking with descriptions of tools and other equipment, techniques, etc.