Center Stone

Magic Stone

48-32-1

From: Japan | Ryukyu Islands | Okinawa | Shuri Castle

Curatorial Section: Asian

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Object Number 48-32-1
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Japanese
Provenience Japan | Ryukyu Islands | Okinawa | Shuri Castle
Period Modern
Date Made 18th Century?
Section Asian
Materials Stone
Iconography Magic | Space | Time | Zodiac
Description

Center stone forming a space and time diagram to give a certain magical power to the site at which it is placed. In the center are the characters for the four cardinal directions (北 North, 南 South, 東 East and 西 West). Around the edge are the zodiac characters of the twelve, two-hour periods of the day (midnight to midnight), beginning at the top and going clockwise: 子 (rat), 丑 (ox), 寅 (tiger), 卯 (rabbit), 辰 (dragon), 巳 (snake), 午 (horse), 未 (goat), 申 (monkey), 酉 (rooster), 戌 (dog), 亥 (pig).

Thickness 10.3 cm
Outside Diameter 25 cm
Credit Line Gift of William W. Reeder, 1948

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