Glass found at Kamigamojinja shrine likely came from ancient Persia

[yuiyoshida]

The chemical composition of a glass fragment unearthed 50 years ago at Kamigamojinja shrine in Kyoto, a World Heritage site, is a near match for glass found in the ruins of a royal palace from Persia’s Sasanian Dynasty (226-651).

Testing conducted by a group of researchers that included Yoshinari Abe, an assistant professor of analytical chemistry at the Tokyo University of Science, confirmed the match.

The glass fragment is believed to have been manufactured between the sixth and seventh centuries. It also has characteristics that are similar to those found in the “Hakururinowan” bowl, one of the treasures kept in Nara’s Shosoin Repository at Todaiji temple. Researchers hope the fragment will help them determine where the treasures in Shosoin came from.

The fragment, which is believed to have come from a thick glass bowl with double circular patterns, is six centimeters long, 4.2 cm wide and one cm thick. It was discovered in 1964 by a local historian at a site north of the main hall of the shrine, located in Kita Ward.

http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201507130063

[Judi Lynn]

1. Interesting. Thank you. n/t