![]() For many centuries, the ‘magic’ of these mirrors baffled both laymen and scientists. While the metal is completely solid, the reflected image gives the impression that it must be in some way translucent. Remarkably, when light is directed onto the face of the mirror, and reflected to a flat surface, an image magically appears (usually the one featured on its back). One side is brightly polished, while an embossed design decorates the reverse side. In Japan, bronze mirrors are known as magic mirrors, or makkyo (魔鏡). Throughtout medieval Japan, mirrors were considered sacred objects-used not only in rarefied imperial ritual and display but also to ward off evil spirts and, when placed in Shinto shrines, to speak with the gods. In Japan, bronze mirrors (imported from China c.300AD) were associated with Amaterasu, sun goddess and imperial ancestor - who, at the dawn of time, ordered her grandson to descend from heaven to rule over Japan and gave him a sacred mirror providing him and his successors perpetual access to the divine sun. Hanging a small circular mirror in front of the door will prevent the bad spirits from entering. ![]() There is a Buddhist belief that negative spirits will enter houses through the door if they have triangular-shaped roofs. Mirrors in history and mirror superstitions The sword Kusanagi (草薙劍, Kusanagi no Tsurugi)), The Imperial Regalia of Japan (三種の神器, Sanshu no Jingi / Mikusa no Kandakara), also known as the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, consist of shinkyoo 神鏡 Shinkyo - "mirror of the kami", divine mirror. You can paint the part of your face that should improve its beauty. kagami ema 鏡絵馬 votive tablet as a mirror. They supported a society where nothing was thrown away but everything was carefully repaired, and used until it could truly be used no more. There were many other kinds of specialized craftsmen to repair broken items, including paper lanterns and locks, replenish vermilion inkpads, and refurbish old Japanese wooden footwear, mills and mirrors, to name a few. Japan in the Edo Period - An Ecologically-Conscious Society Kanda Saekichoo 神田佐柄木町 Kanda Saeki-cho, Kanda Saekicho The official togimonoshi 砥物師 of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The minor polish can be done to the sword with scuff markings or the sword with Hike ( Scratch ). Normally, the 9 Japanese polishing stones are used to complete the Kenma.Ĥ. The 3rd stage is the final, touch-up polish. The basic 2 stages of Kenma ( Polishing ) are the Shitaji-Kenma ( Foundation polish ) and Shiage-Kenma ( Final polish ). Togishi 研ぎ師 研師 polisher of mirrors, swords and blades Maybe now she realized the great difference in her own "beauty" and that of here lovely lady. So they could see their own face all the time. They sat by the roadside, putting the mirror in front of them whilst polishing it. ![]() A good business time for the wayside craftsmen was in winter, toward the New Year. The bronze mirrors of the ladies of Edo had to be polished at least once a year. Since the mirrors of the Edo period lost their shine very soon, it was necessary to polish them regularly. Kagami migaki 鏡磨き / kagami togi 鏡研ぎ mirror polisher in Edo In the Edo period, they became widely used by all people. Mirrors were first introduced for religious rituals, but had been used by the aristocracy for combing and make-up since the Heian period. source : - History of mirrors in Japan. Perhaps it can be said that the motifs on handled mirrors truly reflected the heart of the Edoite! These types of mirror were known as e-kagami. The mirror discs also became larger to accommodate the increased size of ladies' hair arrangements. A mirror with a scenic motif, such as Mount Fuji and the pine grove of Miho or the eight views of Omi, may express one's desire to see these famous sights or to travel.īy the Edo period handles, often bound in rattan, were added to Japanese brass or bronze mirrors. A mirror with one's family crest may signify the self assertion of the family or individual who used such a mirror. Japanese style mirrors / History of mirrors in JapanĮkagami, e-kagami 柄鏡 mirror with a handle In Samurai Families, on the 20 of January, the mirrors were opened for the first time, some kagami mochi offered and then ritually eaten by the womanfolk. Hatsu kagami 初鏡 "first (use of the) mirror" ![]() Kyoodai iwai 鏡台祝 celebrating the mirror stand
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