Japanese Mirror (Wakyou): A fragment of poetry that reflects time
Wakyo (Japanese mirror) - A piece of poetry that reflects time
What you see in the mirror is not just your image.
It is a memory of an era and a form of prayer.
It is also a landscape that lies deep in the heart.
What is a Japanese mirror?
A Japanese mirror is a metal mirror made in a style unique to Japan.
They were produced in large quantities from the late Heian period onwards, and the backs of the mirrors are delicately decorated with flowers, birds and auspicious motifs.
The material is bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) and is classified as a "copper mirror," which is made by pouring it into a mold.
Unlike modern glass mirrors, Japanese mirrors reflect light softly, giving the impression of reflecting a dreamlike landscape.
Japanese mirrors in history
• Yayoi to Kofun periods: Bronze mirrors, imported from China, were used as symbols of royal authority. The story of the "100 mirrors" given to Himiko by Wei is a famous anecdote.
• Late Heian period: Uniquely Japanese designs were born, and auspicious motifs such as landscapes, flowers, cranes, and turtles began to be painted on the backs of mirrors.
• Kamakura to Muromachi period: The patterns on the backs of mirrors became more elaborate, with geometric designs and shrine scenes appearing. In some cases, they were even used as lids for tea kettles, and they became an integral part of everyday life.
• From the early modern period onwards: Handled mirrors appeared, and they became more decorative. Sometimes the maker's name or an inscription such as "the best in the world" was engraved on them.
The meaning behind the mirror
A Japanese mirror is not just a tool.
It was a "vessel that reflects God" and a "window that arranges the soul."
Looking at yourself in the mirror is like facing your inner self.
For this reason, mirrors have been enshrined as sacred objects in shrines and revered as one of the "Three Sacred Treasures."
Beautiful design
The patterns on the back of the mirror are like poetry.
Plum blossoms and two birds, mountains and rivers and pine trees, waves and buildings - each symbolizes a season or auspicious omen, and reflects the owner's wishes and aesthetic sense.
Using a technique known as "ichimen ichii" (one surface, one casting), no two mirrors have the same pattern, making each one a unique piece.
Afterword: A Story in the Mirror
Japanese mirrors speak to us across the ages.
These questions include "What is beauty?", "What is prayer?", and "Who am I?"
Just as we today take pictures of ourselves with our smartphone cameras,
Perhaps people in the past also reflected their hearts in Japanese mirrors.
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