REKIHAKU anniversary that is 20th Ancient Japanese writing symbols From the Golden Stamp to Documents from the Shoso-in
To describe the process of how Japan, which had no written language, received written characters from China and exactly how it had been easy for Japan to produce its system that is own of while beneath the strong influence of ancient Korea. At the beginning of the 8th century, that foreign influence planted the seed for Japanese works such as for instance Kojiki, Nihon Shoki, Man’yoshu and also the “world of documents from the Shoso-in”. Documents through the Shoso-in are indispensable, basic research materials for the study of ancient history that is japanese. However, these are generally only displayed towards the public on special occasions. You will find few examples in the wonderful world of a huge assortment of 1,200-year-old writings preserved in good shape. This is why we are taking on the task of reproducing in detail that is finest about 800 for the Shoso-in documents as one regarding the main project in the primary collection. About 250 scrolls have already been produced. In the main exhibition we will display a team of enlarged reproductions.
It really is believed that in ancient Japan, written characters played a large role that is social a musical instrument of government so that as items that held mystical capacity to an extent which was not seen in later eras. Using specific examples from the standpoint of “writing, people, and locations”, you want to illustrate the unique world of written characters – the ecology of written characters – of ancient Japan, which differs from China, where in fact the characters originated.
This exhibition would like to expand on a premise through the perspective that ancient society that is japanese contained an extensive “characterless world” together with formed its very own unique culture of written characters.
Thanks to the discovery of enormous amounts of archeological materials with written characters in the past few years, the specific situation of this ancient written culture common to both Japan and Korea has, in particular, become extremely clear. The year with this exhibition is 2002 (Heisei 14), a year that needs to top resume software be commemorated for the achievement of good progress within the relationship that is close Japan and South Korea. Fortunately, because of cooperation that is full various Korean organizations, we have been able to borrow a number of Korea’s major ancient written materials. Here is the first public open exhibition of ancient written materials found in Korea to be displayed in Japan. We desire to compare them to materials that are japanese.
Writing (kanji characters) originating from China and spread throughout East Asia, where it long reigned as an international writing system. However, in Vietnam and Korea today, writing is mainly in indigenous scripts. Except for China itself, the only real other culture using Chinese characters continuing into the day that is present Japan, which in the beginning began writing in a mixture of Chinese and native characters
However, it cannot be said that the future of the culture of Chinese characters in Japan is secure. In considering the written culture of the century that is 21st it is important to totally reconsider what writing was in ancient society.
Therefore, this exhibition is targeted on reproductions of about 100 scrolls regarding the Shoso-in documents, artifacts from archeological digs such as letters on lacquer lid paper, wooden tablets, and earthenware with ink writings from around the country, and in addition epigraphs and materials associated with writing as such as implements. And we’ll combine ancient materials that are written China and Korea to recreate the world of writing in ancient Japan. By looking at writing in these ways, we desire to paint an accurate image of ancient society.
Exhibited Items
1. From the period when writing came to the Japanese Archipelago
- Written materials from China (reproduction of the seal that is golden ofKan no wa no na no koku ou”, reproduction of inscribed mirror from Keisho 3 from excavations during the Kanbara Jinja burial mound in Shimane Prefecture)
- Expressions in sound and pictures (bronze bell reproduction and other items)
- Characters written from the second to fourth centuries in the united states of Wa (archeological finds from Oshiro Ruins in Mie Prefecture such as for example “Hou” (meaning “offering”), “Kou” (meaning “good fortune”) along with other items)
2. Written culture in ancient Korea
(reproductions of an inscribed curved long sword (kanto tachi) with single dragon pattern,Josan-Sanjo wooden tablet, Gan’ouchi Pond wooden tablet, Geinichi-Reisuiri monument, along with other items)
