REKIHAKU anniversary that is 20th Ancient Japanese writing symbols From the Golden Stamp to Documents from the Shoso-in
To spell out the process of how Japan, which had no written language, received written characters from China and exactly how it had been feasible for Japan to produce its own system of writing while under the strong influence of ancient Korea. At the start of the 8th century, that foreign influence planted the seed for Japanese works such as for instance Kojiki, Nihon Shoki, Man’yoshu and the “world of documents through the Shoso-in”. Documents from the Shoso-in are indispensable, basic research materials for the study of ancient Japanese history. However, they truly are only displayed to your public on special occasions. You will find few examples in the wide world of a huge number of 1,200-year-old writings preserved in good condition. This is why we have been dealing with the task of reproducing in finest detail about 800 of the Shoso-in documents as you of the main project in the main collection. About 250 scrolls have been completely produced. In the main exhibition we will display a group of enlarged reproductions.
It really is believed that in ancient Japan, written characters played a sizable role that is social a musical instrument of government and also as items that held mystical capacity to an extent which was not noticed in later eras. Using specific examples from the standpoint of “writing, people, and locations”, we wish to illustrate the world that is unique of characters – the ecology of written characters – of ancient Japan, which differs from China, where in actuality the characters originated.
This exhibition would like to expand on a premise from the perspective that ancient society that is japanese contained a thorough “characterless world” and had formed its very own unique culture of written characters.
Thanks to the discovery of enormous amounts of archeological materials with written characters in recent years, the problem regarding the ancient written culture common to both Japan and Korea has, in particular, become extremely clear. The year for this exhibition is 2002 (Heisei 14), per year that ought to be commemorated for the achievement of great progress within the relationship that is close Japan and South Korea. Fortunately, thanks to full cooperation from various Korean organizations, we’ve been in a position to borrow a number of Korea’s major ancient written materials. This is basically 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 homework assignment China and spread throughout East Asia, where it long reigned as an international writing system. However, in Vietnam and Korea today, writing is primarily in indigenous scripts. Apart from China itself, the actual only real other culture using Chinese characters continuing into the day that is present Japan, which in early stages began writing in a mix of Chinese and native characters
However, it cannot be said that the ongoing future of the culture of Chinese characters in Japan is secure. In considering the written culture of this century that is 21st it is important to fully reconsider what writing was at ancient society.
Therefore, this exhibition centers around reproductions of approximately 100 scrolls associated with the Shoso-in documents, artifacts from archeological digs such as for example letters on lacquer lid paper, wooden tablets, and earthenware with ink writings from about the nation, and in addition epigraphs and materials related to writing as such as implements. And we will combine ancient written materials from China and Korea to recreate the field of writing in ancient Japan. By looking at writing in these ways, we hope to paint an accurate image of ancient society.
Exhibited Items
1. Through the period when writing stumbled on the Japanese Archipelago
- Written materials from China (reproduction associated with seal that is golden ofKan no wa no na no koku ou”, reproduction of inscribed mirror from Keisho 3 from excavations in the Kanbara Jinja burial mound in Shimane Prefecture)
- Expressions in sound and pictures (bronze bell reproduction as well as other items)
- Characters written through the second to fourth centuries in the Country of Wa (archeological finds from Oshiro Ruins in Mie Prefecture such as “Hou” (meaning “offering”), “Kou” (meaning “good fortune”) as well as other items)
2. Written culture in ancient Korea
(reproductions of an inscribed curved sword that is long tachi) with single dragon pattern,Josan-Sanjo wooden tablet, Gan’ouchi Pond wooden tablet, Geinichi-Reisuiri monument, along with other items)
