Mirror
ca. 11th century
Maker Unknown
Asian Art
Bronze mirrors with one highly polished side (here facing the back of the case) were common luxury items in premodern Japan, but mirrors were also considered highly symbolic. Because of their ability to reflect light, mirrors were associated with the Shintō sun goddess, Amaterasu, considered the ancestor of all Japanese emperors. A similar ancient mirror, said to have belonged to Amaterasu’s grandson, is part of the regalia used at the enthronement ceremony for new emperors. The other two pieces of Japan’s imperial regalia are a magatama bead and a sword. The mirror represents the wisdom of the emperor, the bead his benevolence, and the sword his strength.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Accessory
- Formatted Medium
- Bronze
- Medium
- bronze
- Locations
- Place made: Japan
- Period
- Heian Period
- Dimensions
- 5 1/2 in. (14 cm)
- Departments
- Asian Art
- Accession Number
- 74.81.3
- Credit Line
- Designated Purchase Fund
- Exhibitions
- Arts of Japan
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- Asian Galleries, Arts of Japan, 2nd floor
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