奈良・「超国宝展」で展示された、１６００年も前の鉄剣「七支刀」。実物を見たのは初めて。
この度、奈良国立博物館が最新の分析装置で調べた結果、「内部はほとんど腐食しておらず、極めて良好な状態が保たれて」いたとの説明。銘文の解析も進み、古墳時代(4世紀説)に百済から日本に贈呈されたものらしい。
このころ、日本にはまだ鉄を産出する能力は無かったので、いわば最新のハイテク文化がもたらされたのでしょう。
This iron sword is from 1600 years ago.
It was on display at the “Super National Treasures Exhibition” in Nara, but this was my first time seeing it in person.
The Nara National Museum recently examined it using the latest analytical equipment and explained that “there is almost no corrosion inside, and it is in extremely good condition.” Analysis of the inscription has progressed, and it appears to have been a gift from Baekje(Korean Peninsula) to Japan during the Kofun period (the 4th century).
At this time in ancient Japanese history, Japan did not yet have the ability to produce iron, so it was, so to speak, the latest high-tech culture of the time was brought to Japan.
今回の展示でのハイライトのひとつ法隆寺・百済観音像。
One of the highlights of this exhibition was the Baekje Kannon statue at Horyuji Temple.
江戸時代までは「虚空蔵菩薩」と呼称されていたとの寺伝があるそうです。やはり飛鳥時代の傑作。
明治政府の愚策に由来する「廃仏毀釈」の風潮から、日本の仏教美術を救ったフェノロサのエピソードにも登場します。
There is a temple legend that it was called “Kokuzo Bosatsu” until the Edo period. It is truly a masterpiece from the Asuka period.
It also appears in the story of the American Ernest Francisco Fenollosa, who saved Japanese Buddhist art from the violent trend of “Haibutsu Kishaku” (Buddhist demolition), which stemmed from the foolish policies of the Meiji government.
この中宮寺菩薩半跏像の実物に会えたのは初めてなので、感激もひとしお。
As it was my first time seeing the real thing, I was especially moved.
日本に仏教が到達した、ひとつの頂点でしょうか。(朝鮮半島からの渡来仏との説もあるそうです)
私は、仏教の主要な目的が「慈悲」であることを改めて確認できたように思えました。
(中宮寺・菩薩半跏像 7世紀）
Perhaps this work represents a pinnacle of Buddhism’s arrival in Japan.(There are also some who believe that the Buddhists came from the Korean Peninsula.)
It seemed to me that I had once again confirmed that the primary goal of Buddhism is “compassion.”
(Chuguji Temple, Bodhisattva in half-seated position, 7th century)
（参考)
これは、昨年ソウルで見た韓国中央博物館の半跏思惟像 6-7世紀
(Reference)
A pensive statue（ 6th-7th century） from the Korea National Museum I saw in Seoul last year.
飛鳥時代の「国際性」を象徴する逸品(国宝)法隆寺 龍首水瓶。
A masterpiece (national treasure) that symbolizes the “internationality” of the Asuka period – the Dragon-Head Water Jug from Horyuji Temple.The creator may be a migrant.
スタイルはササン朝ペルシア(3-7世紀)、龍首は中国の伝統、胴部には向かい合う2組の有翼の天馬（ペガサス）4頭を線刻し、金メッキで浮き立たせている。（見るには単眼鏡が必要)
製作はなんと日本らしい（製作者は渡来系だったかも知れません）。
素人の私には、飛鳥の都(7世紀)の文化水準の高さを痛感する一品でした。１３００～４００年も前とは思えない。
穴が開くほど眺めました。買い求めた絵葉書を大切に持ち帰りました。
The style is from Sassanid Persia(3-7th), while the dragon head is traditional Chinese. The body is engraved with two pairs of facing winged Pegasus horses, which are set in gold plating to make them stand out (You need a monocular). It appears to have been made in Japan (The creator may have been an immigrant.)
As an amateur, this item made me keenly aware of the high cultural standard of the Asuka capital (7th century).
It’s hard to believe that this jug is 1,300-400 years old.
I looked at it so much that it nearly wore a hole in it.(I gazed intently at these “national treasures.”)
I carefully brought home the postcard I had bought.
“Super National Treasures Exhibition” in Nara