Skip to content
Pitt Rivers Museum

1908.82.16

Paper amulet with inscription and demon-like figure, a charm against all evils. [SM 13/11/2008]


1908.82.16

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

Terms and Conditions

If you wish to order a high-resolution image and/or licence its use for print or web publication, exhibition, film, promotional product or any other use, whether in the academic or commercial sector of any print run, then please visit photographic services.

Collection type
Object
Description
Paper amulet with inscription and demon-like figure, a charm against all evils. [SM 13/11/2008]
Geographical reference
Wakayama Prefecture Kumano Shrine
Cultural groups
Japanese
Person
Field collector Basil Hall Chamberlain
PRM source Basil Hall Chamberlain
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1908
Date collected
By 1908
Acquisition information
Donated: 1908
Materials and processes
Material Paper Plant, Material Ink, Material Pigment, Process Printed, Process Stamped
Dimensions
Length: max 244 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1908.82.16 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 33
Research and responses

This object was examined by Professor Itaru Chijiwa during his research visit in November 2008. He stated that the object was from a Kumano shrine. The amulet depicts Tsuno-Daishi and refers to the story of Jie-Daishi, a Buddhist monk who was very attractive, but became so annoyed at women coming to admire his beauty that he turned himself into a demon - Tsuno-Daishi. [SM 13/11/2008]

The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2009 as: Written at the bottom; “Nachisan” - Mt. Nachi . [SM 25/2/2009]

Associated publications
This object is illustrated on page 92 of Japanese Amulet Culture. Shinto Culture Series No. 35, edited by Itaru Chijiwa, Tokyo 2010 (Koubundou Publishers). A copy of this book is in the Balfour Library. [El.B 01/04/2011]

Search terms: Religion, Ornament, Writing, Figure, Amulet, Paper, Inscription