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1908.82.276

Silk envelope with stamped paper lump, enclosed in an inscribed paper wrapping with symbolic binding. [SM 19/09/2008]

1908.82.276

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Collection type
Object
Description
Silk envelope with stamped paper lump, enclosed in an inscribed paper wrapping with symbolic binding. [SM 19/09/2008]
Long description
Silk envelope with stamped paper lump, enclosed in an inscribed paper wrapping with symbolic binding. The paper wrapping has an inscription in black and a large red stamped flower on the front and a small flower shaped stamp on the back. It is bound with red mizuhiki strings and has a gold bow on the front, also made from Mizuhiki strings. [SM 19/09/2008]
Geographical reference
Japan
Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan
Kysushu Fukuoka Prefecture
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 Silk Textile Animal, Material Paper Plant, Material Ink, Process Stamped, Process Bound
Dimensions
Width: max 108 mm, Length: max 185 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1908.82.276 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 95
Research and responses

This object was examined by Professor Itaru Chijiwa during his research visit in November 2008. In his opinion the amulet is from Fukuoka Prefecture [SM 04/12/2008]

The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2009/2010 as: Right: “Dazaifu jinja”, Dazaifu shrine. Centre; “Ume omamori”, Plum amulet. [El.B 18/01/2010]

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] Referenced as footnote 10 on page 74 in 'Chamberlain and his collection: Ofuda and maps from Meiji Japan by Fusa McLynn in the volume 'Ofuda - On Japanese Charms' proceedings on an international conference on Ofuda held in Paris on the 1st and 2nd March 2012 where Fusa McLynn presented her paper. The footnote reads 'The kernal of plum stone is known as "Tenjin", the name of the god Tenman Tenjin (i.e.Sugawara no Michizane) to whom the mausoleum of Dazaifu is dedicated.' [FB 14/11/2014]

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

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