Treasures of JapanA catalogue of Japan's designated cultural properties
2,690 works catalogued

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National Treasure

Ritual Objects Used to Consecrate the Site of Kōfukuji Temple, Eight-Lobed Mirror with Floral Sprays and Paired Butterflies

興福寺鎮壇具 花枝双蝶八花鏡
Ritual Objects Used to Consecrate the Site of Kōfukuji Temple, Eight-Lobed Mirror with Floral Sprays and Paired Butterflies (興福寺鎮壇具 花枝双蝶八花鏡)
PLATE IImage: Tokyo National Museum, via ColBase — CC BY 4.0
At a glance — Metalwork · Nara period, 8th century · held by Tokyo National Museum · designated National Treasure of Japan.

Fact Sheet

Designation
National Treasure (国宝)
Category
Metalwork
Date
701–800
Location
Ueno, Tokyo
Catalogue ID
cobas-71393

Find more

Altar-calming objects were buried beneath a new to-be-built temple building to calm the earth spirits and pray for a safe completion of the construction works as well as the prosperity of the future building. These votive objects excavated from beneath the Chukondo (Middle Golden Hall) of Kofukuji, Nara, were found in 1874 (Meiji 7).

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

Record & Sources

Cite this page: “Ritual Objects Used to Consecrate the Site of Kōfukuji Temple, Eight-Lobed Mirror with Floral Sprays and Paired Butterflies（興福寺鎮壇具 花枝双蝶八花鏡）.” Treasures of Japan, catalogue no. cobas-71393. Tokyo National Museum. https://treasures.yamato-kenkou.com/treasures/ritual-objects-used-to-consecrate-the-site-of-k-fukuji-temple-eight-lobed-mirror-with/ — entry last verified 1 November 2026.
Full record data (as published in the official catalogue record)
  • Category: Applied arts:Mirrors
  • Cultural property designation: National Treasure
  • Genre: Metalwork
  • 員数: 1面
  • 分類: 金工
  • 種別: 工芸:鏡

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