Iron Prices in Ancient Japan and the International Comparison

Abstract

Nothing tells us more eloquently on the level of a technology than the cost or the quantity. If we know the prices of some metals at any period in any location, we can discuss the technical level to a certain degree only from the information. From the above idea this author is carrying out a compilation of worldwide historical metal prices and so on. In this report this author deliberates on iron prices in ancient Japan and makes an attempt to compare the prices internationally with ancient China or medieval Europe. The results are summarized as follows. (1) The ratios of iron prices for rice prices in ancient Japan are concentrated in 6 to 8 (2) The values are slightly higher than in ancient China (the ratios of iron price for rice prices are about 5), but there is no significant difference. (3) As to ancient Europe there is no appropriate document but from the 14th England case (the ratio of iron price for wheal price is 4.8) there would not be much difference. (4) The ratio of iron price for rice price is gradually decreasing worldwide and reaches 2 in 17th or 18th century.