- Collection type
- Object
- Description
- Part of Shinto altar: Altar table with silver mirror on stand and 2 white porcelain jars for sake. [LKG 02/11/2009]
- Long description
- Part of Shinto altar: Altar table with silver mirror on stand and 2 white porcelain jars for sake. The table has a plain rectangular surface and each leg consists of four parallel vertical bars fixed to a horizontal bar on the underside of the table at the top, and into a single horizontal bar at the bottom. The top surface of the table is marked where the mirror, vases and museum label have been positioned. The mirror is circular and held in a wooden mount. The base of this mount is formed of two blocks of wood, one laid on top of the other and of a slightly smaller size so the blocks are stepped. On top of this a carpentered rest for the mirror is fixed, this has a curved bottom half with a perforated central area, creating the appearance of two parallel arches. Fixed to the back of these arches is a larger piece which has been carved into a curved rest into which the mirror can be inserted. The bottom edge of the stand's base has been carved into a simple decorative pattern. The pair of white glazed ceramic vases are each individually marked. One is painted with a text symbol in black paint, while a piece of paper has been glue to the other bearing three text symbols in black ink. There are also two black text symbols written on the bottom of the latter vase. Both vases have small white glazed lids and short necks. They are rounded and largest in diameter at the top with narrower waisted sections towards the bottom. [LKG 02/11/2009]
- Geographical reference
- Date / Period
- Date made: Before 1892
- Date collected
- Before 1892
- Acquisition information
- Donated: 1892
- Materials and processes
- Material Silver Metal, Material Porcelain Pottery, Material Wood Plant, Material Varnish, Process Carpentered, Process Glued, Process Sawn, Process Fire-Hardened, Process Glazed, Process Varnished
- Dimensions
- Height: max 93 mm mirror on stand, Width 87 mm altar table, Width 65 mm mirror on stand, Length: max 240 mm altar table, Height: max 84 mm sake jar
- Object numbers
- Accession number: 1892.21.4.2
- Research and responses
Information given by Professor Itaru Chijiwa, Assistant Professor Seiji Hoshino (both from Kokugakuin University) and Norifumi Shimazu (Association of Shinto Shrines) during a research visit, November 2009. To be used in front of altar at home. The amulet inside is not usually pushed into the MIYAGATA [the wooden ‘house’ structure]. MIYAGATA is two Japanese words – ‘shrine’ and ‘form’, literally meaning miniature shrine. The black symbol painted directly onto one of the vases translates to ‘6’. The amulet inside the Myiagata is not of the type usually associated with such shrine sets. This amulet has the name ‘Hie shrine’ written down the top the right side. Inside symbols were illuminated using torchlight and although illegible are clearly printed in red ink. This amulet is of the REIJI type. These sets are normally used for 50 – 100 days after a funeral. The amulet placed with the mourning set is usually of an O-Mamori type. This represents the spirit of the deceased. The shallow dishes or saucers were placed on either side of the altar table, with the mirror between. The saucer on the right was then filled with rice while the saucer on the left was filled with salt. The vases would contain sake, the deeper dish water and the two wooden box stands with crossed designs on the sides and bamboo tubes inside would hold Sakaki plant, which was given a little water. The mourning set is typically arranged with the Miyagata on a stand at the back, with the sakaki box stands on either side and slightly forward. The table was placed in front of the Miyagata with the two sauces on either side of the tabletop and the mirror between. In front of the table the three stands for the vases and water bowl were placed, the tallest stand between the pair of shorter stands. The water bowl stands on the taller central stand with a sake vase on each of the shorter stands either side. [El.B 19/01/2010]
Notes written on database printouts by Professor Chijiwa during his 2009 visit, transcribed and translated by Fusa McLynn when volunteering at the Museum in 2019: 'An (table), Mi-kagami (mirror), Heishi (jars for sake)' [JMC 20/6/2019]
Search terms: Religion, Death, Vessel, Toilet, Pottery, Mirror, Religious Object, Toilet Article