Overview

This dark greenish gray mirror is covered in areas with a bluish green patina. The rim of medium thickness is high and straight sided. A fine line, probably from the casting mold, encircles the conical knob and the knob surround of pistils spread out like flower petals. Pines growing from rocky crags and the pattern of the waves are typical of Penglai (J., Hôrai) motifs, but in place of the cranes at the upper left is a pair of birds. The pine needles and birds were made using a press mold. Within the inner border is another border in the form of stringed jewels. Another mirror with the same form of inner border and inner band design, thought to be from the same workshop as the museum example, was dedicated to the Saiendô Hall at Hôyû-ji Temple, and bears an ink inscription corresponding to 1331 (Gentoku 3).