Detail
| Cultural Resources Category | Archeological Artifacts |
|---|---|
| Cultural Properties Category | National Designation Tangible Cultural Properties (Archeological Artifacts, Historical Materials) |
| Title | Excavated Artifacts from Summit of Mt. Nantai, Province of Shimotsuke (All Other Accompanying Artifacts) |
| Designation Date | 1953/11/14 |
| Cities / Towns | Nikko |
| Owner / Manager | Nikko Futarasan Shrine |
| Description | Mt. Nantai has long been revered as the sacred mountain of the Futarasan Shrine and was founded by Shodo Shonin at the end of the Nara period, making it a particularly sacred place for Shugendo ascetics (shugenja). The religious austerities of mountain ascetics were connected with the belief in mountain deities, and prayers to the deities and remembrance of Buddha were performed to pray for the fulfillment of their wishes, while Buddhist-style ascetic practices were also performed. The site is located 100 meters west of the Okumiya Futarasan Shrine at the top of Mt. Nantai (2.486 above sea level). Excavations had been conducted since 1924, and in 1959, another excavation revealed an enormous amount of artifacts of various types amounting to 3,000 items, dating from the Nara to the Edo periods. The main items were Buddhist altar fittings, copper mirrors, copper seals, old coins, military tools, agricultural tools, earthenware, pottery, etc. The pagoda-shaped goji is a similar object found in the Shosoin Imperial Treasure. The copper seal is the first of its kind to be found at a ritual site with a sacred nature, and is extremely unique, making these numerous artifacts valuable as a series of relics related to the beliefs of Mt. Nantai. |
| Copyright | 著作権あり |
