三軒長屋
この長屋には、村下と事務員のための独立した居住区がある。小さな区画には家族全員が住み、長屋の住人は全員、2か所ある村の共同浴場を利用した。貸し切り風呂は、副支配人とその家族、および村下だけが利用できた。
住居と多額の維持費は、菅谷製鉄所の所有者である田部家が負担していた。こうした基本的な生活必需品を提供することで、労働者がこの地域の他の製鉄所で働くのではなく、村にとどまってくれることを期待していた。
番頭が部下を指揮して製鉄所の業務を処理する一方で、村下は鉄鋼生産に関連するすべての技術的側面に責任を負っていた。村下は、高殿の地下構造が適切に構築されていることを確認し、各作業の前に粘土炉を構築し、炉に砂鉄と木炭をどれだけの量、いつ加えるかを決定するという困難な仕事を担っていた。
こうした知識の多くが企業秘密とされ、選ばれた人にしか共有されなかった。田部家が製錬の指揮を執る熟練した村下を確保し、定着させることにこだわった理由のひとつがここにある。
Split Rowhouse
This rowhouse contains separate living quarters for the murage (foreman) and staff of the ironworks. An entire family lived in each compact unit, and the occupants of the rowhouse all used two communal village baths. Private baths were available only to the murage on duty and to the assistant manager and his family.
The costs of housing the workers, including any significant maintenance, were covered by the Tanabe family, the owners of Sugaya Ironworks. They hoped that by providing these basic necessities, they could entice workers to remain in the village rather than seek employment at other ironworks in the region.
While the manager directed his staff to handle the business activities of the ironworks, the murage was responsible for all technical aspects associated with the production of iron and steel. The murage ensured that the underground structure of the takadono workshop had been built properly, constructed the clay furnace before each operation, and had the challenging task of determining when and how much iron sand and charcoal should be added to the furnace.
Much of this specialized knowledge was considered a trade secret and was shared only with select individuals. This was one reason why the Tanabe family took pains to secure and retain a skilled murage to lead their smelting crew.
