Japanese magic mirror

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Not on view. The image is only revealed under special lighting conditions. Made in China from very early on, they also became popular in Japan for both religious and secular use. Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded. As part of the Met's Open Access policy , you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes. This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left.

Japanese magic mirror

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Mirror 19th century. Learn more about this artwork. Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content:.

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Mirrors are usually considered primarily as implements for personal grooming but, in Japan, mirrors were used for far more than reflecting one's image. Within Japanese culture, mirrors are one of the most potent symbols of power, revered as sacred objects representing the gods. Mirrors are also admired as artistic objects, as they have intricate pictorial designs on their backs. The technology needed to cast metal mirrors was introduced to Japan from China around the Yayoi period ca. During the Heian period — , the mirror was included as part of the elaborate toiletry sets used by aristocrats. Though the earliest mirrors were fashioned after Chinese mirrors, in time mirror makers began to depict Japanese style designs and motifs from the Japanese natural world. In ancient times, round mirrors typically had a knob in the center of the back, through which a cord would be strung. Later, as the hand mirror a round mirror with a rectangular protruding handle came into use, designs became more pictorial, covering the entire back.

Japanese magic mirror

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Advanced search. Culture: Japan. Reprints and permissions. Download PDF. About this article Cite this article A. Email address Sign up. Issue Date : 22 January The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35, objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B. Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Open Access. View author publications. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments. Mirror 19th century.

In a magic mirror, unevenness on the polished surface—too subtle to be detected by the naked eye—reproduces patterns on the back when light reflects off the front. At the time, mirrors were a valued gift between members of the court and were often used as diplomatic gifts to bind political alliances.

Search Search articles by subject, keyword or author. Abstract IN your last week's issue p. The Met Collection API is where all makers, creators, researchers, and dreamers can connect to the most up-to-date data and public domain images for The Met collection. Japanese Magic Mirrors. Accession Number: Download citation. In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript. Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative. Copy to clipboard. New York. About this article Cite this article A. Inside of the mirror plate now soldered to back.