Patterned mirror - Ekagami

A type of Japanese mirror with a handle made of the same material as a round mirror. Until the Muromachi period, mirrors were round and many were kept in comb cabinets, but from the Tensho era (1573-1592), mirrors began to be given long handles and were inscribed with the inscription Tenkaichi (number one in Japan). In the Edo period, they were considered one of the wedding accessories and hung on a mirror stand, with the mirror surface often featuring longevity motifs such as the crane and turtle, pine, bamboo, and plum. They were made in a variety of sizes, from around 30 centimeters to around 5 centimeters for applying lipstick. Double-sided mirrors were also made and became an essential item for makeup.

[Takeshi Endo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

和鏡の一種で、円鏡(まるかがみ)と同じ材質の柄(え)のついたもの。室町時代までの鏡は円鏡で、多くは櫛笥(くしげ)の中に納めてあったが、天正(てんしょう)年間（1573～1592）から細長い柄がつくようになり、天下一（日本一）という銘をつけた。江戸時代になると、婚礼道具の一つとされ、鏡架にかけて使うようになり、鏡面には鶴亀(つるかめ)松竹梅などの寿(ことぶき)模様を多く用いた。大きさも30センチメートル前後から、口紅をつけるための5センチメートルくらいのものまで各種つくられた。さらに、合せ鏡もできて、化粧上の必需品となった。

［遠藤　武］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例