Ye Magick Mirrour of Old Japan

The essay surveys the cultural, religious, and material significance of mirrors in old Japan, tracing their role in Shinto ritual, myth, and daily life. It recounts the sun-goddess myth that explains a sacred mirror's origin and its place among the imperial regalia, describes shrine practices at Ise and votive offerings of mirrors and swords, and details manufacturing and forms of Japanese mirrors—bronze composition, shapes, sizes, and ornamentation—alongside their social uses such as bridal trousseau pieces and ladies' toilet mirrors. Illustrations and comparative notes illuminate how symbolic motifs and ritual care surround these objects.