Overview
The Bone Storage Vessel Excavated at Miyajidake Shrine in Chikuzen Province (Chikuzen-kuni Miyajidake Jinja) is an exceptionally fine cremation container unearthed from the grounds of Miyajidake Shrine in Fukutsu City, Fukuoka Prefecture. It features a double structure: an inner cylindrical vessel made of gilded bronze (copper with gold plating), which is housed within an outer pottery jar coated with green glaze. This artifact is archaeologically significant because it illustrates both the advanced craftsmanship and the changing funerary customs associated with the spread of Buddhism during the Nara Period.
Historical Background
The item was discovered in 1898, during road reconstruction work at Miyajidake Shrine by the shrine’s head priest. Although a large megalithic tomb (kofun) dating to the late 7th century exists behind the shrine, this Bone Storage Vessel dates from the 8th century—the Nara Period. During this time, as Buddhism spread throughout Japan, funerary practices underwent a major shift, moving away from traditional burial in kofun toward cremation. This artifact serves as historical evidence that local powerful families quickly adopted cremation, which was the latest culture of the central capital (the miyakyo), and afforded themselves burials using the highest quality craftsmanship.
Features and Appeal
The Bone Storage Vessel holds immense value as an archaeological artifact due to its aesthetic beauty and superior manufacturing techniques.
- Luxurious Double Structure: The inner, bronze container is cylindrical with careful gold plating, while the outer vessel is a “green-glazed jar” coated in vibrant green glaze.
- Advanced Craftsmanship: The lid of the inner container was created using the inrō-buta-zukuri (lacquered box lid) technique, demonstrating the excellent metalworking skills of the era.
- Rarity of Green Glaze Pottery: The outer vessel’s green glaze pottery was a rare and high-end commodity newly manufactured in Japan at that time. It symbolizes that the deceased belonged to an elite family with strong connections to the central government.
- Excellent Preservation: When found, human bones were placed inside the inner container. Despite being excavated, the metal retains its luster, and the glaze maintains a beautiful texture, conveying the colors of the past into the present day.
Source: Excerpted from the National Designated Cultural Properties Database (https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index)