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World Heritage at the Mines – Special Exhibition of Japan’s Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine

The Gold Museum and Japan's Iwami Ginzan World Heritage Center Delightfully Establish Sister Museums

Launch of the Mini Exhibition: "World Heritage at the Mines – Special Exhibition of Japan’s Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine"

 

The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture, Japan, is an internationally renowned World Heritage Site. The Gold Museum in Jinguashi, New Taipei City, has shared a deep bond with Iwami Ginzan since 2008 due to their common history as mines developed during modern times. Both have engaged in various exhibitions, research, and cooperation efforts.

 

Iwami Ginzan was Japan’s largest silver mine during the early Edo period (16th century). It was continuously mined for nearly 400 years, from the discovery of silver in 1527 until operations ceased in 1923. In 2007, it was inscribed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, becoming the first mine in Asia to achieve this designation.

 

Building on years of friendly partnership, on November 4, 2024, the Gold Museum, represented by Director Lin Wen-Chung, signed a friendly cooperation agreement with the World Heritage Center, represented by Takeda Yuko, Superintendent of Education of Oda City. This officially established the two as sister museums. Those invited to the ceremony included residents, community members, and school representatives from the Shui-Jin-Jiu region, as well as representatives from the Oda City Tourism Association, Shimane Prefectural Assembly, Shimane Prefecture World Heritage Office, and Iwami Ginzan Section of Oda City, creating a lively atmosphere.

 

Recognizing the challenges of population decline and aging populations faced by both mining regions, the representative from Oda City expressed hopes for future exchanges between elementary school students to help them develop an early understanding of their precious local cultural heritage. Both parties have agreed to plan expanded commemorative activities for 2027, marking the 20th anniversary of Iwami Ginzan’s World Heritage inscription.

 

To commemorate the sister museum agreement, the Gold Museum has specially curated a micro-exhibition titled "World Heritage at the Mines – Special Exhibition of Japan’s Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine," introducing the history of the silver mine, the exchanges between the two mines, and lessons from World Heritage. The public is warmly invited to visit and enjoy the exhibition.

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