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Pitt Rivers Museum

1908.82.647

Print of a saint, sitting on a floating island, holding a sword. There is an inscription above the image. [SM 08/10/2008]


1908.82.647

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Print of a saint, sitting on a floating island, holding a sword. There is an inscription above the image. [SM 08/10/2008]
Geographical reference
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1908
Date collected
By 1908
Acquisition information
Donated: 1908
Materials and processes
Material Ink, Material Paper Plant, Material Pigment, Process Printed
Dimensions
Width: max 146 mm, Length: max 264 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1908.82.647
Research and responses

Bon Koizumi, from Shimane Women's College in Matsue Japan, during a research visit in June 2006 examined this object and thought, because of the location of the shrine, that it was possibly collected by Lafcadio Hearn. Hearn, was based in the 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 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 O-fuda [SM 08/10/2008]

The inscription on this object was transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2011 as: (Centre, stylized character) “Namu myohorengekyo” - a mantra to be chanted by Nichiren sect followers which means ‘I believe in the power of Hokekyo’. (Right) “Ietsushujoko” - In order to make people happy. (Left) “Genmuryojinriki” - unfathomable devine power has been used. (Bottom right) “Higo Honmyo-ji” - Honmyo-ji temple in Higo province (present Kumamoto prefecture). (Bottom left) “Myoshin-in anchi” - Placed in Myoshin-in. [SM 15/07/2011]

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