Images

A scene from an illustrated scroll of the legends concerning Hachiman. Colour on paper. 14th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A detail of the lip of a deep Jomon bowl. Ubayama Shell Mound, Kashiwai-machi, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba, Japan. Jomon Period, 3000-2000 BCE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A spouted vessel from Azusawa Shell Mound, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo. Jomon Period 2000-1000 BCE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A bronze Japanese dotaku or ritual bell. From Nakagawa (Akugaya), Hosoe-cho, Kita-ku, Hamamatsu-shi, Shizuoka, Japan. Yayoi Period, 1st-3rd century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A jar of the Yayoi Period, 1st-3rd century CE. From Kugahara, Ota-ku, Tokyo. Important Cultural Property. (Tokyo National Museum)

An offering vessel of Sue stoneware. From Kanmuriyama Tumulus, Shimoashimori, Kita-ku, Okayama, Japan. Kofun Period, 6th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

Engraved Chinese bronze mirror with a deity and horse carriage design. From the 4th-5th century CE Samitatakarazuka Tumulus, Japan. From 2nd-3rd century CE China. Important Cultural Property. (Tokyo National Museum)

A bronze visored helmet with gilt decoration. From Nihonmatsuyama Tumulus, Matsuokayoshinozakai, Eiheiji-cho, Fukui, Japan. Kofun Period, 5th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A gilt bronze dharma wheel used in Buddhist rituals. 13th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)

A painted silk portrait of Kukai or Kobo Daishi (774-835 CE) who was a scholar, poet, and monk who founded Shingon Buddhism in Japan. 14th century CE. (Tokyo National Museum)