1908.82.353

Collection type

Object

Description

Paper amulet in human shape, with "emancipation & purification of the country" written on it. [SM 18/09/2008]

Geographical reference

Japan

Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan

Honshu Shimane Prefecture Izumo

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, Process Stamped

Dimensions

Width: max 267 mm frame, Length: max 136 mm frame

Object numbers

Accession number: 1908.82.353 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 261

Research and responses

This object was examined by Professor Itaru Chijiwa during his research visit in November 2008. He noted that this object is a "Kata-shiro". Kata-shiro's are used to take all the negative thoughts etc from you. They are transferred to the Kata-shiro, which is then dropped into the river, leaving the user cleansed. [SM 04/12/2008]

The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2010 as: (Far right) “Yakuyoke”, ward off evil. (Other 3 figures) “Amatsu harae kunitsu harae”, ward off evils from heaven and earth. [El.B DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 13/10/2010]

Associated publications

Referenced as footnote 19 on page 75 of '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. [FB 14/11/2014]

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