Mirrors (ekagami)

  Makers of ekagami (a mirror with a handle) had a high status because a mirror is one of The Imperial Regalia of Japan and represents wisdom.  The Imperial Regalia, also called the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, consists of a mirror, a sword and a jewel that are used at the Emperor's enthronement ceremony.   This highly polished bronze ekagami is by the Edo period (1600-1868) craftsman Fujiwara Yoshitaka.  Can you see your reflection in it?  On the back of the mirror are pine trees, which are a symbol of longevity and associated with the New Year, and bamboo, which represents strength.  The two large kanji characters read wakamatsu (young pine).      
Object no :
NA
Collection :
Clothes and Accessories
Creator :
Fujiwara Yoshitaka, Fujiwara Mitsunaga
Place of Production :
Japan
Dimensions :
NA
Materials :
bronze
Location :
NA
Accession number :
DUMFM:1957.38.22, private collection
Copyright :
NA
2 Fmedia2 F11724912 F1957 38 22 a

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