Images

An earthenware coffin. Kawanabe, Tsuyama-shi, Okayama, Japan. Asuka Period, 7th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A gilt bronze crown. Nihon Matsuyama tumulus, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, Japan. Kofun Period, 5th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

Gilt bronze shoes, most likely imports from the Korean Peninsula. Etafunayama Tumulus, Nagomi-machi, Kumamoto, Japan. Kofun Period, 5th-6th century CE. National Treasure. (Tokyo National Museum)

A gilt bronze crown. Nihon Matsuyama Tumulus, Eiheiji-cho, Yoshida-gun, Fukui, Japan. Kofun Period, 5th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A Japanese iron plates and leather tanko cuirass. Nagatoronishi Tumulus, Takasaki-shi, Gunma. Kofun Period, 5th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A detail of an inlaid iron sword. From Eta Funayama Tumulus, Nagomi-machi, Tamana-gun, Kumamoto, Japan. Kofun Period, 5th-6th century CE. National Treasure. Tokyo National Museum.

A warrior sekijin or tomb marker. Iwatoyama Tumulus, Yoshida, Fukuoka, Japan. Kofun Period, 6th century CE. Important Cultural Property. (Tokyo National Museum).

A depiction by artist Kikuchi Yosai of Fujiwara no Yoshifusa (804-872 CE), member of the powerful Fujiwara clan and the first Japanese regent not of royal blood.

A 16th century CE silk scroll depicting Fujiwara no Kamatari (614-669 CE) and his two sons, the founder of the powerful Fujiwara clan which dominated Japanese government during the Heian Period (794-1185 CE). (Los Angeles County Museum of...

Tomb of Menna at Thebes, 18th Dynasty.