1908.82.20

Collection type

Object

Description

Amulet envelope containing an inscribed amulet, tied with symbolic knot called "noshi". [SM 19/09/2008]

Long description

Amulet envelope containing an inscribed amulet, tied with symbolic knot called "noshi". The knot is made using red and white mizuhiki strings. Mizuhiki strings are made from clay bound with rice paper [SM 19/09/2008]

Geographical reference

Japan

Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan

Honshu Kanagawa Kamakura

Cultural groups

Japanese

Person

Field collector Basil Hall Chamberlain

Field collector (Patricio) Lafcadio (Tessima Carlos) Hearn

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, Material Clay, Process Stamped, Process Tied

Dimensions

Width: max 110 mm, Length: max 380 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1908.82.20 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 133

Research and responses

Bon Koizumi, from Shimane Women's College in Matsue Japan, examined this object during a research visit in June 2006 and thought, because of the location of the shrine, that it was possibly collected by Lafcadio Hearn. Hearn, was based in this area, and was asked by Chamberlain to collect material for him from this region. [ZM 09/06/2006]

See Collectors: Chamberlain in related documents file for information about Lafcadio Hearn. [ZM 12/09/2006]

This object was examined by Professor Itaru Chijiwa during his research visit in November 2008. He stated that this object was an ofuda amulet. He noted that the spellings on the card catalogue entry and in the Accession book were incorrect and should read "A charm of the Nichiren diabosatsu from Tatsunokuchi-dera temple" Tatsunokuchi means 'Dragon's Mouth' in English. [SM 14/11/2008]

Search terms: Religion, Ornament, Writing, Amulet, Envelope, Inscription, Religious Object