Mirror (Excavated from Samida Takarazuka tumulus, Nara)

{i=>[zenpōkōenfun, shinjūkyō], content=>[The Samida Takarazuka Kofun totals 111.5 meters in length, one and a half meters longer than an American football field. It is a large-scale example of a keyhole-shaped tumulus (, ). Thirty-six bronze mirrors were discovered at this tomb during excavations in the Meiji era (1868–1912). Mirrors with gods and beasts (, ) are associated with ancient China. This example has immortals and dragon-shaped creatures in groups of three rendered in demi-relief. The design includes symbols that evoke Chinese characters around the edge. While this object imitates a Chinese mirror, it was made in this country.]}

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