Magic Mirror / Sea Creatures and Grape

Product Description

Product Story

General Product Information

Magic Mirror with Sea Creatures and Grapes – Revealing the Sacred Black Tortoise (Genbu)
This magic mirror features intricate designs of sea creatures and grapes on its reverse side. When light is reflected and projected onto a wall, the image of Genbu—the Black Tortoise, one of the Four Guardian Deities—mysteriously appears.

While it functions as an ordinary mirror, its hidden imagery revealed through light embodies both the artistry and spirituality of Japan’s traditional casting techniques. It can be appreciated as a decorative piece as well as a functional mirror for daily use.

Magic Mirror – Reflections of Hidden Devotion
A magic mirror is a remarkable Japanese craftwork that reveals hidden images when light is cast upon its surface. Though it looks like an ordinary mirror, patterns or sacred figures engraved on the reverse side mysteriously appear in the reflection.

During the Edo period, under the ban on Christianity, Kakure Kirishitan (Hidden Christians) are said to have used mirrors engraved with the image of Christ. By shining light onto the mirror, the figure of Christ would be projected, allowing them to pray in secret. To avoid suspicion, the reverse was often covered with a lid featuring harmless decorative patterns.

Today, magic mirrors are valued not only as rare religious artifacts, but also as exceptional examples of Japan’s advanced casting techniques and spiritual culture. Experience the mysterious beauty of light and shadow captured within this extraordinary mirror.

Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：200 years ago / 1800AD / Edo period in Japan

During the Edo period, under the strict prohibition of Christianity imposed by the Tokugawa shogunate, many believers were forced to practice their faith in secret. Among the objects they relied on was the so-called magic mirror, which is said to have served as a hidden instrument of worship for the underground Christians, known as Kakure Kirishitan.

At first glance, this mirror appeared to be an ordinary one. Yet on the reverse side, it bore an image of Christ. When light was cast upon the mirror’s surface, the reflection would project the figure of Christ, allowing the faithful to offer their prayers in secret.

To avoid detection, the owners of such mirrors often covered the back with a lid decorated with harmless, conventional patterns, concealing the sacred image from view. These magic mirrors thus embody both the ingenuity and the unshakable devotion of those who preserved their faith despite the harsh ban of the era.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Akihisa Yamamoto
Akihisa Yamamoto, the fifth-generation head of Yamamoto Alloy Works in Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, is the only mirror maker in Japan who still handcrafts magic mirrors (makyō). While preserving the traditional techniques handed down from his father, he is devoted to passing on the legacy of these mysterious mirrors to the present age.

Craftsman Passion

I hope that one day, magic mirrors (makyō) will once again be in the spotlight.

There may be processes that could be mechanized, but doing so would cause certain techniques to be lost. And there are still people today who genuinely need those very techniques.

Rather than being preserved as something to be protected, it is ideal for these skills to survive because they remain necessary. With that ideal in mind, I craft magic mirrors every day, constantly thinking about how to make it a reality.

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：17cm
Depth：1.5cm
Weight：1533g

Material & Caution

Materials

Bronze

 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

This item is made to order.
Please allow approximately 2 months from order placement to shipment.
We appreciate your understanding.