The Yamato Kingdom and the Production of Symbols of Authority
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Mirror, Alternated geometric pattern with beast design, Excavated from Samita takarazuka Tumulus, Kawai-cho, Nara, Kofun period, 4th–5th century (Important Cultural Property)
Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
June 4, 2019 (Tue) - November 23, 2020 (Mon)From the 4th century, Chinese-style bronze mirrors were created in Japan and placed in burial mounds. These large mirrors were finely-crafted with unique designs, and, as this burial practice suggests, held special meaning in the Yamato Kingdom. Jasper, bronze, and stone copies of various ornaments were also buried in these mounds. They included distinctive hoe-shaped stone objects modeled after shell bracelets that were valued in the preceding Yayoi period. The Yamato government began creating such objects to show its political and religious authority. Moreover, certain objects, such as those made of jasper, were created with the aid of provincial clans.
Use of these objects and the construction of burial mounds for high-ranking rulers (these mounds featured stone chambers that were sealed from the top) spread from the Yamato Kingdom to the west. It is believed that provincial clans used these objects as evidence of their alliance with Yamato and as symbols of their own prestige.
The establishment and expansion of the Yamato Kingdom was also related to political developments in other East Asian countries. In China, the fall of the Western Jin dynasty ushered in the Sixteen Kingdoms period (316–420), while the three kingdoms of Korea – Goguryeo, Baekje, andSilla– began to annex neighboring regions.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | Iron Sword with Floral Ring Pommel, With inscription in gold inlay | Excavated at Todaijiyama Tumulus, Tenri-shi, Nara | Kofun period, 4th century; sword blade: created in China, 2nd century | J-39135 | ||
| Highlight | National Treasure | House-shaped Ring Pommel | Excavated at Todaijiyama Tumulus, Tenri-shi, Nara | Kofun period, 4th century | J-39138 | ||
| National Treasure | Shell-shaped Bronze Object | From Todaijiyama Tumulus, Ichinomoto-cho, Tenri-shi, Nara | Kofun period, 4th century | J-39167-4 | On exhibit from September 8, 2020 | ||
| Hoe-shaped Stone Bracelet | Excavated at Kazuwa Taishozuka Tumulus, Kurayoshi-shi, Tottori | Kofun period, 4th century | Gift of Mr. Yamamoto Tomizo and 3 others J-9882 | ||||
| Highlight | Ceremonial Object in Shape of Staff | Provenance unknown | Kofun period, 4th century | J-2778-1 | |||
| Important Cultural Property | Mirror with Hunting Scene | Reportedly found in Takasaki City, Gunma | Kofun period, 4th-5th century | J-7279 | On exhibit from December 3, 2019 |