26Picture of the Tsuiji reverberatory furnace

This is an image of the Tsuiji reverberatory furnace, Japan’s first reverberatory furnace. It was built by the Saga Domain. A reverberatory furnace is used to melt metals such as iron. The Saga Domain translated and studied Dutch technical documents to learn the theory behind the mechanism, and created a reverberatory furnace to manufacture cannons. People with outstanding skill and knowledge, such as swordsmiths and metal casters, were gathered to participate in this project without regard for their social status. At first there were various problems; for example, the iron did not melt properly. However, after numerous trials and errors, the first cannon was completed. The model below the picture is a miniature restoration of how the Tsuiji reverberatory furnace looked, according to the most recent research findings. Please note that the model and the picture differ in many aspects, such as the positioning of the buildings, the exterior appearance of the furnace, and the mechanism. This is because the picture was drawn based on the research findings of the 1920s, but recent detailed research of the records from the Edo Period revealed a number of differing facts. This is a good example of how detailed research on historical facts can sometimes overturn conventional theories.