1540 Metallurgy book

[Dan tsuba]

Hello!

 

So, I did find an interesting resource that seems to be unique.  I found it by my usual “bumping” around the internet.  It is titled “The Pirotechnia of Vannoccio Biringuccio (or the book is better known as “De la Pirotechnia”).  I include a Wikipedia statement below (and the website) –

“De la Pirotechnia is considered to be one of the first printed books on metallurgy to have been published in Europe. It was written in Italian and first published in Venice in 1540. The author was Vannoccio Biringuccio, a citizen of Siena, Italy, who died before it was published.”

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_la_pirotechnia

 

and this website will give you the chapter and woodblocks listings (from pages 29 to 37) in the book.

 

https://www.tms.org/pubs/books/pdfs/09-1002-e/09-1002-0.pdf

 

I just received it today, so haven’t had the time to read it through.  But I did find a few areas of interest and I have quickly “skimmed” over them.  It seems to be very in-depth on several areas.  From the mining of different metals, to including many woodblocks prints of differing bellows arrangements on forges, to making molds, to the sands and liquids used in making the mold, to the smelting of ores, and many other areas that may be of interest (check out the complete chapter list in the website above for a better understanding of what this book has to offer).  But like I said, I haven’t read it yet.  And this European book was published in 1540, what would coincide with the later Muromachi period in Japan.  I can only infer that the Japanese may have developed these metal techniques much earlier.

 

Anyway, it looks like an interesting read and will definitely give me some insights into early metallurgy.  I thought that others may be interested in reading it (probably many have done that already!).  Just wanted to share!!!

With respect,

Dan

 

[ROKUJURO]

1 hour ago, Dan tsuba said:

...... From the mining of different metals, to including many woodblocks prints of differing bellows arrangements on forges, to making molds, to the sands and liquids used in making the mold, to the smelting of ores, and many other areas that may be of interest (check out the complete chapter list in the website above for a better understanding of what this book has to offer).  But like I said, I haven’t read it yet.  And this European book was published in 1540, what would coincide with the later Muromachi period in Japan.  I can only infer that the Japanese may have developed these metal techniques much earlier.....

Dan,

ores are generally not "smelted". To get to the metal, ores have to be reduced. It is a chemical process, not just a thermal one.

The Japanese came into contact with iron probably in the 3rd century B.C. when Chinese iron products were imported via Korea. Sword making in Japan, to my knowledge, only started about 500 C.E. and was mostly based on styles and techniques learned from the Chinese (see CHOKU-TÔ).

Compared to Europe, where iron production started about 800 B.C., sword forging was about 1.000 years earlier than in Japan. Japanese swords in the shape we are familiar with came up in the 12th century C.E. if I remember correctly. 

[Dan tsuba]

Hello!

 

Jean, thanks for the information on smelting.  I will keep that in mind when I get around to reading the book (maybe something referring to a chemical process will be mentioned - I will look for that).  And also thanks for the information on the years of sword making.  You always add valuable information on metal working techniques and history.

Much appreciated!

 

With respect,

Dan