The Niizawa Senzuka Tombs and Exchange with the Asian Continent
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Glass Dish, Found at Niizawa Senzuka No. 126 Tumulus, Nara, Kofun period, 5th century (Important Cultural Property)
Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
December 7, 2021 (Tue) - June 12, 2022 (Sun)Created in the 5th century, burial mound no. 126 is one of approximately 600 that make up the Niizawa Senzuka tumulus cluster located in the Nara Basin. Rectangular in shape and 24 meters in length, excavations revealed that it contained a rich variety of objects from other cultures. These include gold, silver, and gilt-bronze accessories, glass bowls and plates, bronze clothing irons and small mirrors, carved semi-precious stones, and weapons. Among these, the gold and silver crown decorations, jewelry, glass bowls, decorative glass beads, and other objects are equivalent in quality to items excavated from tombs of the Silla Kings in Korea.
Moreover, these objects reflect exchange with the Asian continent: The gilt-bronze belt fittings featuring intricate dragon designs were made in great numbers in China and Korea; the glass objects from western Asia were distributed across a wide region stretching from central Asia to China; and the clothing irons suggest the existence of imported silk products. Judging from their forms and materials, the mirrors, precious stones, and weapons, however, are thought to be Japanese. These objects not only demonstrate that the latest culture had been brought to Japan, but also reflect the admiration people in Japan had for the Asian continent.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Square Decorative Plate | Found at Niizawa Senzuka No. 126 Tumulus, Nara | Kofun period, 5th century | J-37191 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Gilt-Bronze Belt Fittings | Found at Niizawa Senzuka No. 126 Tumulus, Nara | Kofun period, 5th century | J-37214 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Glass Dish | Found at Niizawa Senzuka No. 126 Tumulus, Nara | Kofun period, 5th century | J-37205 | ||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Glass Bowl | Reportedly found at the Tomb of Emperor Ankan, Osaka | Kofun period, 6th century | Gift of Club Kansai, J-36665-1 |