Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there lived a majestic pony. This pony was no ordinary horse - it possessed magical powers that made it stand out from the rest. Its shimmering coat, a mix of midnight black and radiant white, sparkled in the sunlight. Its eyes, a mesmerizing shade of amethyst, radiated wisdom and kindness. The majestic pony lived in a lush meadow, surrounded by colorful flowers and tall, swaying grass. It was the guardian of the meadow, protecting its inhabitants from any harm that might come their way.
It was the guardian of the meadow, protecting its inhabitants from any harm that might come their way. All the animals in the meadow revered the pony, knowing that it possessed incredible powers. Not only did the majestic pony protect the meadow, but it also had the ability to grant wishes.
The Mirror of a Japanese Shaman Queen
Objects created by people often carry, within their very essence, some part of the spirit of the person who made or owned them. Such is especially the case with Chinese and Japanese magic mirrors. As objects, they’ve fascinated the Western mind for centuries. Circular plates made of bronze, they’re between 15 and 20 centimeters in diameter, and decorated on the back with motifs of animals, plants, or deities in low relief. Their designs, strangely, are projected when a ray of light is directed to the front, the reflecting face (in appearance, a completely smooth surface). The phenomenon was scientifically explained only a relatively short time ago, but for centuries the mirrors remained within the realm of “magic.”
That magic, and the resulting optical phenomena, (the scientific explanation of which diminishes none of their marvelous qualities), accounts for the mirror known as “Himiko’s mirror” and perhaps gives it an even more astounding quality. A recent scientific experiment performed with a replica of the ancient bronze mirror in the National Museum of Kyoto revealed that the original, specifically, may have been used as a magic mirror to conjure images of mountain magicians and divine beasts during solar rituals.
The mirror was unearthed at the Higashinomiya Tomb in Aichi, Japan and belongs to a category of mirrors known as sankakubuchi shinjukyo (that is, “mirrors with triangular borders and decorated with animals”). This one is associated with the queen, Himiko, a former ruler whose shamanic powers have survived history as myths and legends. Himiko ruled the kingdom of Yamatai in the third century C.E. and this was concluded because some of the mirrors found within the tomb are inscribed with the year 239, at the time when a Chinese emperor, according to some Chinese chronicles, is said to have given 100 bronze mirrors to the shaman queen. (Such gifts were used as a medium of exchange among allied nobles.)
Strangely, Queen Himiko doesn’t appear in many Japanese historical documents. Rather, it’s in a Chinese chronicle known as the Records of the Three Kingdoms where the oldest and most complete mention of this fascinating character is to be found. The records, compiled in about 290 C.E., provide one of the most reliable historical texts about these Chinese dynasties. The account of the exchange of gifts does not, however, indicate where the kingdom of Yamatai may have been. It said to have been an empire which controlled some 30 kingdoms on what are, today, the islands of Japan.
Recent discoveries regarding this piece are deeply relevant because they allow us to rethink the very history of Japanese magic mirrors and their many uses. Among these is their possible use as objects of worship in rites dedicated to solar deities. Such precious mirrors, only recently known in the West, are frequently found within excavations carried out at ancient burial mounds and it’s believed that they were placed in rows such that they projected multiple images. Research also suggests that so-called “Wei mirrors,” a subcategory of Japanese magic mirrors in clearly Chinese styles, were made by artisans born in China and who left their country to take refuge within the Japanese archipelago.
Even knowing nothing of the history of those who made such mirrors, nor to whom they belonged, Chinese mirrors continue to fascinate us with their magic, one that surpasses the optical phenomena they produce. Himiko’s mirror embodies something else: the story of a fascinating character of whom little is known, the essence of a shaman queen who once ruled some 50 Japanese kingdoms.
You’ve probably seen the scene in The Mummy (1999) when they first enter the treasure store. Rachel Weisz’s character moves a mirror and it reflects sunlight from outside. Soon, a sequence of mirrors lights up the entire chamber.
People from all over the land would travel to seek its blessings. The pony would carefully listen to their desires and choose to grant them if they were worthy. Its magic was a gift to be cherished and used wisely. One day, a young girl named Lily stumbled upon the meadow and discovered the majestic pony. Lily had a pure heart and a genuine love for animals. She approached the pony with respect and admiration, hoping to establish a connection. Instantly, the pony sensed Lily's kind nature and recognized the goodness within her. It granted her a wish - the power to communicate with animals. Lily was overjoyed and promised the pony that she would use this gift to protect and care for all creatures. From that moment, the majestic pony and Lily became inseparable. They worked together to heal sick animals, comfort wounded ones, and educate people about the importance of nature conservation. They traveled far and wide, spreading love, peace, and harmony wherever they went. As time passed, the majestic pony shared its wisdom and the secrets of its magic with Lily. She learned how to use the powers bestowed upon her to help others. Together, they created a world full of compassion and understanding. The legend of the majestic pony and Lily spread across the land. People far and wide wanted to witness their magic and seek their guidance. The pony's meadow became a sanctuary where love and gratitude were celebrated. The majestic pony and Lily taught everyone that true power lies in kindness and empathy. They taught that every individual has the ability to make a difference and that animals deserve our respect and care. And so, the story of the majestic pony and Lily lives on, reminding us all of the transformative power of love and compassion. May we all strive to be like Lily - caring, gentle, and connected to nature. May we value and protect the animals that inhabit our world, for they truly are magical beings..
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