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Sword from Todaijiyama Tumulus with Inscription

  • Image of "Iron Sword with Gold Inlay Inscription and Ring Pommel with Flower-shaped Decoration, At Ichinomoto-cho, Tenri-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 4th century (Important Cultural Property)"

    Iron Sword with Gold Inlay Inscription and Ring Pommel with Flower-shaped Decoration, At Ichinomoto-cho, Tenri-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 4th century (Important Cultural Property)

    Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
    July 20, 2005 (Wed) - September 19, 2005 (Mon)

    In 1960 (Showa 35), an excavation and investigation of the Todaijiyama tumulus in Nara prefecture's Tenri-shi unearthed a sword with an inscription of the Chinese Eastern Han dynasty' s Zhong Ping era (184 - 189), followed by 22 characters. This is known as the oldest sword with an inscription in Japan.

    Museum curators spent two years scientifically analyzing the sword, performing necessary preservation techniques and constructing a new preservation and display case. This special exhibition reintroduces the sword and in order to increase understanding, additional swords and bronze ring-shaped sword pommels excavated from the tumulus are also exhibited.

 Major works in this exhibition

* Works listed below are in the TNM Collection unless otherwise indicated.
 Iron Sword with Gold Inlay Inscription and Ring Pommel with Flower-shaped Decoration, At Ichinomoto-cho, Tenri-shi, Nara, Kofun period, 4th century (Important Cultural Property)
Exhibitions