1908.82.777

Collection type

Object

Description

Amulet consisting of a strip of paper with printed inscriptions in Sanskrit and Japanese. [SM 16/10/2008]

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?, uncertain

Date collected

By 1908?

Acquisition information

Donated: 1908 Found unentered: 20/06/2003

Materials and processes

Material Paper Plant, Material Ink, Material Pigment, Process Printed

Dimensions

Width: max 41 mm, Length: max 270 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1908.82.777 Other numbers: 143

Research and responses

This object was examined along with others from the Chamberlain Collection by Sekiko Matsuzaki-Petitmengin on 27 June 2003 [SM 16/10/2008]

This object was examined by Professor Itaru Chijiwa during his research visit in November 2008. He stated that the shape of the object is Gorinsotoba (in Japanese) or Stupa (in sanskrit). Amulets like this are normally made from wood. The outline around the Sanskrit characters are supposed to symbolise in order: a teardrop shape at the top (Sky), a semicircle (Wind), a triangle (Fire), a circle (water) and a square (earth). The inscription in Kanji beneath this sections states that if you look at this amulet you won't go to hell and if you place it upright you will go to heaven. [SM 13/11/2008]

The inscription on this object was not transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn who volunteered at the Museum in 2012 as it was too faded to read. [MJD 10/10/2012]

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