Posted 11/09/2011 10:54 pm
I cannot read Japanese kanji but I think I can still help identify the piece relying on my Chinese.
Right image:
The inscription written vertically on the right is 大正十"丙.春 which refers to the "spring of the 15th year of Taisho (Emperor Taisho)" which would be the year 1926.
The inscription written on the left is e'e山西大寺 which translates as the "Great Western Temple on Gold Tomb Mountain".
This Chinese website (last entry) identifies this temple as being in Okayama, Japan.
Left image:
The inscription on the right is 开扉纪念 which means "Commemorating the Opening of the Door".
The inscription on the left is 御肌守 which, as best I can understand, would translate as "Protect the Imperial Flesh" or, perhaps, "Protect the Emperor".
The "Great Western Temple" at Okayama has a statue of the "Goddess of Mercy" ("Guanyin" in Chinese) which is displayed on the piece.
You can see the temple at this Japanese website which identifies it with exactly the same kanji as on the piece. The temple is the fourth image from the top.
The temple's official website is here and it is also famous for the "Naked Festival" which is discussed in English at this website.
Finally, a Chinese website has an image of this commemorative piece which it describes as a "tourist souvenir medal" but does not seem to realize is Japanese.
Gary
Right image:
The inscription written vertically on the right is 大正十"丙.春 which refers to the "spring of the 15th year of Taisho (Emperor Taisho)" which would be the year 1926.
The inscription written on the left is e'e山西大寺 which translates as the "Great Western Temple on Gold Tomb Mountain".
This Chinese website (last entry) identifies this temple as being in Okayama, Japan.
Left image:
The inscription on the right is 开扉纪念 which means "Commemorating the Opening of the Door".
The inscription on the left is 御肌守 which, as best I can understand, would translate as "Protect the Imperial Flesh" or, perhaps, "Protect the Emperor".
The "Great Western Temple" at Okayama has a statue of the "Goddess of Mercy" ("Guanyin" in Chinese) which is displayed on the piece.
You can see the temple at this Japanese website which identifies it with exactly the same kanji as on the piece. The temple is the fourth image from the top.
The temple's official website is here and it is also famous for the "Naked Festival" which is discussed in English at this website.
Finally, a Chinese website has an image of this commemorative piece which it describes as a "tourist souvenir medal" but does not seem to realize is Japanese.
Gary
