E0726: Mirror

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0726

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Ceremonial Artifact

Marks/Labels:

They were personal toiletry items typically personalized by the craftsmen for the person or family making the purchase. Proof of personalization can be found directly above the tortoise at the center of the mirror. In this case, the personalization symbol is an image of three leaves, which may or may not indicate a family or house crest. The manufacturer also inscribed the mirror with two characters along the bottom right curve. The first character, “天下一” is a popular advertising inscription, “Tenkachi.” The second character, “和泉守” or “Izumi no Kami” is an official title and could refer to a few popular mirror makers.
There are three very important longevity motifs featured on this mirror as well. The first is the crane, which frequently appears in pairs. The two cranes here are situated toward the bottom left, one with folded wings and the other with wings outstretched perhaps in preparation or flight. The second motif representing longevity is the pine tree, which sprouts up from the ground on the right side of the mirror. The trunk reaches up toward the top of the mirror and arches counterclockwise. The third motif is the tortoise, which is featured at the center of the mirror for both functional and aesthetic purposes. The two holes puncturing the tortoise’s shell act as a port where string would have been attached in order to hang or elevate the mirror. The incorporation of these motifs represents a return to ancient wishes in invoking longevity. (Hist361)

Materials:

binding agents ➔ adhesive

Dimensions:

12.5 cm L
1.5 cm H

Provenance of Object:

Japan (Hist361)

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Production Date:

Late Edo Period, ca. AD 1800-1868 (Hist361)

Use/Function:

Bronze mirrors of this style during this time period were created for primarily for aesthetic purposes. They were personal toiletry items typically personalized by the craftsmen for the person or family making the purchase. Proof of personalization can be found directly above the tortoise at the center of the mirror. In this case, the personalization symbol is an image of three leaves, which may or may not indicate a family or house crest. The manufacturer also inscribed the mirror with two characters along the bottom right curve. (Hist361)

Source Locality:

China, Japan

Description:

Circular mirror with a thick metal rim around a deeper carved design.

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