Is all iron sand the same?
Iron sand looks different depending on where it was collected—such as from a mountain, from a riverbed, or along the coast. You can use these microscopes to compare how the grains vary in size and shape.
How was iron sand collected?
Iron sand was gathered using a process called kanna-nagashi, which separated the heavier iron from silt and other particulates using their relative densities in water. Pools of different depths were used to collect the iron sand, which naturally sank to the bottom. Try lifting these four boxes to see how the percentage of iron sand changes the weight of the sediment. Be careful not to drop them!
How did the bellows work?
The most common type of bellows forced air out of an enclosed space using a wooden plank. You can test this yourself by pushing and pulling the handle of this box bellows. You can also try using the foot-operated tenbin bellows in the entrance lobby.
Why can I see colors on lumps of tamahagane steel?
The red, blue, and gold colors are created by light reflecting off an ultrathin oxide film that forms on parts of the steel during smelting. This phenomenon is similar to the rainbow patterns that appear on soap bubbles or on the surface of a CD.
