A History of the World in 100 Objects

Japanese bronze mirror

Jun 23, 2010

Explore the significance of a Japanese bronze mirror as it tells the story of the Heian period, a moment of great cultural awakening in Japan. Learn about the isolationist period in the 9th century, the influence of Chinese culture, and the development of Japanese literature. Discover the obsession with beauty and the role of Lady Murasaki in capturing the complexities of aristocratic society during the medieval Heian period.

14:03

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Quick takeaways

Throwing valuable objects into bodies of water is a universal tradition for both lighthearted wishes and serious pleas to the gods.

During Japan's Heian period, the country developed a highly unique culture by isolating itself from the rest of the world, resulting in refinement in every aspect of life and the emergence of important literature.

Deep dives

The Universal Tradition of Throwing Valuables in Water

Throughout history, people have been throwing valuable objects into bodies of water as both lighthearted wishes and serious pleas to the gods. Coins thrown into Rome's Trevi Fountain and artifacts discovered in rivers and ponds across Britain serve as examples. The podcast discusses a mirror from Japan, made of bronze around 900 years ago, which was thrown into a temple pool. This act connects to the universal tradition of casting objects into water for various reasons.

Introduction

6min

Aesthetic Refinement and Symbolism in Medieval Japanese Society

3min

The Symbolism and Sacredness of the Mirror in Japanese Culture

5min

The history of humanity as told through one hundred objects from the British Museum in London. This week Neil MacGregor is looking at objects from Tanzania, Britain, Java and central Europe, exploring the great arcs of trade that connected Africa, Europe and Asia around a thousand years ago. Today he arrives in Japan with an object that offers a dramatic twist on the week's theme. This small mirror from the bottom of a sacred pond comes from a time when the Japanese suddenly cut themselves off from the outside world and stopped all official contact with China, a country it had frequently borrowed ideas from. Neil tells the story of the Heian period of Japanese history, a moment of great cultural awakening in Japan, especially in literature. The object is a small mirror that was found at the bottom of a sacred pond. The writer Ian Buruma and the archaeologist Harada Masayuki help describe the Japan of this time.

Producer: Anthony Denselow

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A History of the World in 100 Objects

Japanese bronze mirror

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Universal Tradition of Throwing Valuables in Water

The Aestheticized Culture of the Heian Period

The Significance of Japanese Mirrors in Communication with Gods

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts