Katori Shrine - National Treasures

National Treasures

Katori Shrine holds one National Treasure, the Kaijū Budō Kagami (海獣葡萄鏡?), a round cupronickel mirror with a diameter of 29.6 centimeters, and weight of 4.56 kilograms. Probably from Tang Dynasty China, the mirror is decorated with bas-relief flowers, insects and a variety of real and mythological animals. It is almost identical to a mirror held by the Shosoin Treasury in Nara. The mirror itself is preserved at the Nara National Museum.

Furthermore, the shrine also has a ceramic Koseto pair of komainu, standing 17.6 and 17.9 centimeters high. Dating from the Muromachi period, one of these statues was featured on a 250 Yen definitive stamp of Japan. The set of statues is designated as an Important Cultural Property.

Read more about this topic:  Katori Shrine

Famous quotes containing the words national and/or treasures:

    Success and failure in our own national economy will hang upon the degree to which we are able to work with races and nations whose social order and whose behavior and attitudes are strange to us.
    Ruth Benedict (1887–1948)

    Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...
    Bible: New Testament, Matthew 6:19,20.

    Jesus.