An event was held in Abashiri City, Hokkaido, for elementary school students to experience the ancient Japanese "tatara ironmaking", in which iron sand is melted to make iron.
This event is held every year during summer vacation by a citizen's group in Abashiri City.
This year was held on July 31st, and 15 elementary school students gathered at the venue.
Tatara ironmaking is an ancient Japanese method of making iron by melting iron sand.
This time, iron sand from the beach in Abashiri City was prepared, and the children repeatedly put scallop shells into the heated furnace along with crushed powder and charcoal.
In order to keep the temperature of the furnace high, the children took turns stepping on a tool called a bellows for five hours, continuously pumping air into the furnace.
Finally, when the furnace was dismantled, a lump of iron weighing about 3 kg was taken out, and the children cheered.
The participants said, "It was fun" and "It was fun to crack the scallop shells."
Masakazu Ishiguro, representative of the civic group Wakuwaku Abashiri Nature Experience, which organized the event, said, "I'm glad we were able to make a lot of iron and everyone enjoyed themselves. I want to continue this event."