Tomoe-shaped copperware

A bronze ornament seen from the Yayoi to Kofun periods. It has a hollow hemispherical, conical base with a flat curved support. Since four-legged versions were common in the Kofun period, it is also called a manji-shaped copperware. In the Yayoi period, there were seven, six, and five-legged versions, and they were generally twisted to the left. They are found in Tsushima and Kyushu in the west, as well as Kanagawa Prefecture in the east. They have been found as early as in earthenware coffins from the late Yayoi period, and as recently as in kofun from the first half of the 5th century. Examples of Yayoi period excavations include grave goods in tombs, individual burials, and discoveries from shell mounds and settlements. In most cases, one to three pieces are found at one site, but there are also cases where eight pieces are buried at once. In kofun, they have been found attached to leather shields. The most widely accepted theory is that it was a talismanic tool originating from the shape of the suijigai (water-shaped shell).

[Fujio Oda]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

弥生(やよい)時代から古墳時代にみられる青銅製飾り金具。中空の半球形、円錐(えんすい)台形の座に扁平な曲状支脚が派生している。古墳時代には4脚式が普通であるところから卍(まんじ)字形銅器とも称される。弥生時代には7、6、5脚式があり、左捩(ひだりよじ)りを原則としている。分布は、西は対馬(つしま)、九州から東は神奈川県に及んでいる。古くは弥生時代後期の甕棺(かめかん)より、新しくは5世紀前半の古墳よりそれぞれ発見されている。弥生時代の出土例は、墳墓の副葬品、単独一括埋蔵品、貝塚・集落などからの発見例などがあり、1遺跡から1～3個発見の場合が多いが、8個一括埋蔵の場合もある。古墳からは革盾(かわたて)に着装された発見例がある。スイジガイ（水字貝）の形態に起源する呪具(じゅぐ)説が有力である。

［小田富士雄］

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