Camera location	36° 02′ 52.13″ N, 139° 06′ 25.84″ E	View this and other nearby images on: OpenStreetMap	36.047814; 139.107178

Translation from Japanese to English:

Wado ruins

In the fifth year of Keiun (708), 1,300 years ago, Wa-ko (native copper) was discovered here in Chichibu County, Musashi Province, and presented to the capital. Emperor Genmei was delighted with this and changed the era name to "Wado" (copper), and he pardoned or lightened the punishments of criminals, commended the elderly and those who had done good deeds, provided relief for the poor, promoted officials, and even exempted Musashi Province from taxes, according to the "Shoku Nihongi."

Among them are the names of Kusakabe Shukufukuro, Tsushima Ason Kataseki, and Kanegami Gen (also known as Kanegami Mu), who are said to have been involved in the discovery of Japanese steel. Chichibu, far from the capital, appeared on the historical stage and was suddenly thrown into the limelight.

Tajihi no Mahito Miyakemaro was appointed as the chief of the minting office, and the first Japanese currency, the Wadokaichin, was issued. The first copper coins were mined here at the Wado open-cut mine, and as the nation's system was established, construction of the capital city was underway, heralding the beginning of the age of currency. A part of the fault plane, known as the Deushi-Kurodani fault in geology, is exposed, and a depression about three meters wide remains from the top of the Wado mountain to the Ma-no-Hako-Hori.

Nearby is Hijiri Shrine, which was founded in the first year of the Wadou era and is said to have a deep connection to the Wadou offerings, and houses two large and small Wadou stones (native copper), a Wadou Kaichin coin, and a pair of male and female Wadou swarms as sacred treasures. In addition, the fact that many of the place names scattered around the area recall the time of the Wadou offerings also speaks to the depth of history.

The government office in charge of casting iron money

Male and female pair

Chichibu City

Chichibu City Wadou Preservation Association

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