Mirror

Unknown artist

Kofun (Tumulus)

Kyoto National Museum

Five circular bronze mirrors with concentric circular patterns and central knobs are arranged on a white background. AkatsukaTumulus is a 57.5-meter-long keyhole-shaped tumulus, located on the hill of Takamori in Usa City, Ôita Prefecture. Built in the early fourth century, it is one of the oldest tumuli in the Kyûshû region. Archeological research in 1921 turned up numerous artifacts from the stone chamber with side entrance in the back of the tumulus, including five mirrors with triangular rims and motifs of animals and gods, cylindrical beads, and fragments of iron swords. The mirrors were all made in China. Similar examples produced from the same cast have been found in other tumuli such as Ishizukayama Tumulus in Fukuoka Pre