> [!NOTE]+ Meta > Author:: [[Sachiko Tamashige]] > Date:: 2024 > Tags:: #warp/article #Japan #mirror > WeftLinks:: > - [[Scientific value of craft]] > - [[Spiritual value of craft]] > Claim:: > - [[Claim - Craft is useful in messaging]] > - [[Claim - Craft plays an important role in worship]] ### Text [Kobelcokaken](Kobelcokaken.co.ltd) in Hyogo prefecture, developed the device to detect product defects by using the principle of the mechanism of makyo phenomenon for their laboratory. In 2014, Dr.Ryu Murakami, the former chief curator of the Kyoto National Museum, conducted an experiment with an elaborate replica made with a 3D printer based on the ancient mirror piece called the triangular-rimmed mirror with divine beasts known as "Himiko's mirror," and announced that the magic mirror phenomenon appears. The real triangular-rimmed mirror with divine beasts excavated from Higashinomiya Kofun was made of cast bronze in China and has rust on its mirror surface, making it an important cultural property that cannot be polished. However, when the mirror surface of the replica work was polished and sunlight was reflected, the magic mirror phenomenon was confirmed. Until now, the patterns and inscriptions had been mainly studied as relics indicating political ties with China, but it has also emerged that the rulers of the time may have used it as a magical tool to control people's hearts, bringing a new perspective to research of history. Makyo fascinated many people including scientists as the the phenomenon of makyo seems mysterious and the mechanism of makyo had been unknown and the highest skill of making had been lost for many years. The significant reference on Japanese magic mirror was made in Nature volume 31, page 264, issued date 22 January 1885 .  Makyo art project “Sora” bridges craftsman and scientists. In 2014, Yamamoto Akihisa (handcrafted bronze mirror maker, born in 1975) as a fifth generation of Yamamoto family made makyo called “Sora” with a pattern of the galaxy instead of the religious motif for the exhibition at the Museum of Kyoto University, which was part of the major exhibition to introduce the history of the astronomy of Kyoto University and its observatory “Kwasan Observatory”.  “Sora” was made to promote the new telescope “SEIMEI” in Okayama, which they have been developing by using the most advanced high technology method provided by the company in Gifu, which had developed a special technique of grinding high-tech mirrors for the telescope. “Sora” bridges between the cosmology of astronomy and that of ancient Shintoism by juxtaposing a fragment of mirror from the new telescope and makyo ”Sora” with the pattern of the galaxy and appeals that any kind of mirror always has been reflecting the truth of the universe. Makyo demonstrates the craftsmanship like highest hand polishing skill can provide nano level technology which can contribute to the scientific research and inspiration. ### What is makyo?  Makyo is a type of bronze mirror, or magic mirror.  One side of makyo is brightly polished, while an embossed design decorates the reverse side. When light is directed onto the face of the mirror and reflected its flat surface, an image featured on its back magically appears.  The principle of the phenomena of makyo, magic mirrors is the following process. When metal mirrors wear down from repeated grinding and polishing, they can sometimes project the embossed design on the back, as the uneven mirror surface is exposed to the light and reflected by caching the patterns of the backside. The old, re-polished mirrors can sometimes display the magic mirror phenomenon, accidentally.   Magic mirrors originated in ancient China as well as bronze mirrors which came to Japan from the continent during in the Yayoi period (date from 300BC to 300AD) and they had been developed in Japan’s own way. In ancient Japan, bronze mirrors were especially revered as rare and amazing so that they overwhelmed people with their magical power. They were high-tech objects of the time, which radiated a beam of the sunlight, therefore, the rulers of the time used them for their rituals to ensure their authority. Bronze mirrors became to have close ties to religious rituals. They played a key role as a host to the gods. Subsequently, the mirror became sacred and the specific mirror Yata-no-Kagami became one of Japan’s imperial regalia. It is believed that Amaterasu, the sun goddess, resides in the Yata-no-Kagami, housed in Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture. ### Makyo maker in Japan It is Yamamoto Shinji, or Oryu, the third generation of Yamamoto family, the owner of Yamamoto Metal Works, that succeeded in re-creating historical makyo, Christian magic mirrors in 1974 and his Christian magic mirror was presented to the Pope in1990. Yamamoto Metal Works, founded at the end of the EDO period in1866 is now the only producer of wakagami, handcrafted Japanese bronze mirrors in Kyoto. The member of family have been involved in the production of mirrors for Shinto shrines used as sacred hosts or offerings and the restoration of mirrors in the treasure house of shrines, temples and museum collections.