7.Mirror
Mirrors have believed that they have spiritual power in all countries
since the olden days. The ancient people used them for predict the future. They
play important roles of reflecting the one’s future, past and true character. Yama (king of the world of the
dead, who judges the dead) uses a special mirror to see the conduct of the dead
while they were still alive. And mirrors are also said to have been a boundary between
the present world and parallel universe since ancient times.
In the Japanese myths mirrors have important
roles. Especially Yata no Kagami is a sacred mirror that is part of the
Imperial Regalia of Japan. According to Japanese mythology it was created by
the god named Ishikoridome during the event of Iwato-gakure (literally
"hiding in Iwato) in which Amaterasu Omikami hid herself in the Ama no
Iwato (literally "the cave of the sun god" or "heavenly rock
cave"). When Amaterasu made a small opening in the rock, the mirror
reflected her face, drawing her attention and successfully making her come out
of the cave, thus bringing light back to the world.
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| Artist's impression of the Imperial Regalia of Japan sword Kusanagi (草薙劍 Kusanagi no Tsurugi), the mirror Yata no Kagami (八咫鏡), and the jewel Yasakani no Magatama (八尺瓊曲玉) |
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| The Sun goddess emerging out of a cave, bringing sunlight back to the universe |
Ancient times,
Japanese people used mirrors in the religious service. They may have elaborated
their mirrors to give more holiness. January 29, 2014 Kyoto National Museum
published their investigation about Sankakubuchi Shinjukyo Mirror/Sankakuen
Shinjukyo Mirrors which is a kind of bronze mirror from an ancient tomb and
large mirror engraving divine beasts with a triangular-rim in its
cross-section. Kyoto National Museum made an accurate bronze replica of Sankakubuchi
Shinjukyo Mirror with 3D printer. Then they investigate a certain phenomenon. When
bright sunlight or other bright light reflects onto the mirror, that light is
reflected from the mirror towards a wall, the pattern on the back of the mirror
is then projected onto the wall. Because carving a pattern on the back deep
brings an invisible uneven on the surface of a mirror. Such mirror is called “a
magic mirror”. Many magic mirrors are found in Chinese ancient ruins and underground
Christian in Japan used magic mirrors which project Christ's image as an object
of worship. But this is the first thing that a magic mirror effect is observed on
the mirror from an ancient tomb. It needs high level skills to made magic
mirrors. This discovery will have a something effect on the way of thinking of
ancient people in Japan and a role of mirrors in ancient society in Japan.
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| a cross section of a magic mirror (the surface is below and the back of mirror is above) |
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| underground Christian's magic mirror |
reference:
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASHC2902G_Z20C14A1000000/?dg=1
http://news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/6105436
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%85%AB%E5%92%AB%E9%8F%A1
http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXNASHC2902G_Z20C14A1000000/?dg=1
http://news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/6105436
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%85%AB%E5%92%AB%E9%8F%A1
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%9A%A0%E3%82%8C%E5%88%87%E6%94%AF%E4%B8%B9%E9%8F%A1
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%AD%94%E9%8F%A1
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%AD%94%E9%8F%A1
