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1908.82.361

Picture stamped with bird and teardrop shaped designs and central title [ZM 05/03/2013]

1908.82.361

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Collection type
Object
Description
Picture stamped with bird and teardrop shaped designs and central title [ZM 05/03/2013]
Geographical reference
Japan
Asia > Eastern Asia > Japan
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, Process Stamped, Process Printed
Dimensions
Length: max 242 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1908.82.361 Other numbers: Chamberlain no. 156
Research and responses

This object was examined along with others from the Chamberlain Collection by Sekiko Matsuzaki-Petitmengin in June 2003 and 15 October 2007. She placed this object within the category of Ofuda [SM 13/10/2008]

Similar amulets to this were researched by Professor Itaru Chijiwa in November 2008. He noted that the teadrop shape is called a "hoju", which means "holy globe" [SM 22/06/2009]

The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2010 as: “Nihon dai ichi”, the first in Japan. [El.B DDF Body Arts Project 2010/2011 13/10/2010]

Notes written on database printouts by Professor Itaru Chijiwa (Kokugakuin University) during a research visit, November 2009, transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn when volunteering at the Museum in 2019: 'Prof. Chijiwa suggests that this is perhaps from Usui-toge, Karuizawa, and not Kumano, Wakayama Pref., because the birds do not form Chinese characters as those from Kumano'. [JMC 10/7/2019]

Search terms: Picture and Graphic Art, Religion, Writing, Drawing, Inscription, Amulet, Religious Object

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