Mirror (Excavated from Samida Takarazuka tumulus, Nara)

The outer edge of the mirror has a motif of adjacent triangles. The innermost section of the mirror’s design renders immortals, animals, mountains, and a chariot drawn by four horses in demi-relief. An inscription on its rim reveals that a man by the name of Chin made this mirror. There are also inscriptions with auspicious sayings, such as one that reads, “Immortals know nothing of old age.”

— Museum description: Nara National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.