 Mirror
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The mirror is the first of the Three Imperial Regalia. The second is
the necklace of magatama, and the sword is third. The Imperial Regalia
are symbols of the Japanese Emperor's power. The mirror is first because
it has the meaning of truth, and symbolically represents the Japanese
goddess, Amaterasu. Amaterasu told Ninigino no Mikoto, when he was sent
to rule the land of Yamato, "When you look into this mirror, you will
see me."
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In this statement, a profound link was established between mirrors and
the human soul. Of course it follows that mirrors must be kept spotless
and treated with respect at all times. In most Shinto shrines, in the
areas which only Shinto priests can enter, the object of worship is usually
a mirror. The Shinto religion worships the sun and since the Sun Goddess
herself, Amaterasu, attached so much significance to the mirror representing
her, it is not surprising to find mirrors as objects of worship in the
shrines.
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In Japan it was thought that a mirror should never be put on the floor,
and it was a big mistake to step over one. This sounds a little like the
western superstition about becoming a victim of seven years of bad luck
if you break a mirror. Besides being a very important religious symbol,
or perhaps because of it, some mirrors have become very beautiful works
of art. This was especially true in the old days when metal mirrors were
the only kind. Bronze and silver were used to make mirrors and since they
tarnished quickly, professional polishers made frequent rounds to keep
the mirrors shiny.
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Even today in many aristocratic families in Japan, Mitamashiro (small
mirrors) are used as religious ornaments and preserved in memory of the
family ancestors. In ancient times, mirrors were among the most treasured
objects to be imported from China. Records say that Queen Himiko (c.170?
- 240) of Yamataikoku, was the recipient of many, and it is believed that
one of them was recently found in our area of Shimane!
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