Mirror from Toiletry Case with Pines and Camellias in Makie (Sacred Treasure from Asuka Shrine)

Among the Sacred Treasures of the twelve subsidiary shrines of Kumano and Asuka Shrine are eighteen small mirrors. Some of these are fitted in mirror boxes that are part of the toiletry case, while some have come down to us without mirror boxes. The mirrors themselves can be divided into two groups: Group A, include mirrors such as the Mirror with Floral Arabesques and Pair of Cranes (IK68-24), Mirror with Pines, Maples, and Pair of Cranes (IK68-25), and Mirror with Pines, Bamboo, and Pair of Cranes (IK68-26), made of nickel bronze with a shiny patina, in which the pattern is sharply depicted, and features a tortoise-shaped knob with tortoise shell diaper pattern and chrysanthemums. Mirrors of Group B are grayish and lacking in luster, and the expression of the design is rather crude; these also feature a tortoise-shaped knob with a ground pattern of floral lozenge.

This example displays the characteristics of Group B. To compare the designs and measurements of the toiletry case and mirror boxes, we have been able to reconstruct certain circumstances. As a rule, each mirror had its own mirror box with matching design. Group B, including the example seen here, displays rather archaic features compared with Group A. This may have been because this mirror from Group B was manufactured in 1390 (Meitoku 1) by a separate workshop as a spare to go with a mirror of Group A or because it was made before as part of another set of sacred treasures.

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