Prefectural Designation: Kei-Metal Gong with Image of Peacock (Kujakumonkei)
| Area | Art |
|---|---|
| Collection name | |
| Age | The Kamakura period (1185-1333) |
| Century | The 13th century |
| Creator | |
| Pronunciation of the creator’s name | |
| Date (year, month, day) | The fourth year of Koan |
| Year (Christian Era) | 1281 |
| Volume | One item |
| Material | Cast copper |
| Size | 20.4 wide and 1.2 thick at the edge |
| Designation | Designated as a cultural property by Hyogo prefecture |
Explanation
The kei is a Buddhist tool that is hung on the keika, which is placed on the right side of an elevated seat called a raiban, on which a priest sits in a Buddhist temple. It is rung during Buddhist services.
Kujakumonkei is rendered both sides feature a pair of peacocks looking at each other in almost symmetrical manner.
The inscriptions on the upper part of the edge and both edges show that the Buddhist tool was created in 1281 during the Kamakura period (1185-1333). In addition, the Hoda-so and Taga-so Villages of Harima Province (around the central and western part of Nishiwaki City) can be seen, which reveals that the Buddhist tool was a kei of Kubonji Temple at Hoda-so Village (subsections of the villages remain northeast of JR Nishiwaki Station).
In addition, documentary evidence suggests that the Buddhist tool was discovered by a farmer at Amada Village, Taka Town, during his cultivation work in 1762. The fact that the age of creation and original location are clear makes the Kujakumonkei a valuable Hyogo-related Buddhist artifact.
This Buddhist tool was designated as a cultural property by Hyogo prefecture in 2000.
<Inscription on the upper part of the edge>
勧進圓智／九品寺如来／這田之御庄／播磨国多賀庄／
Kanjinenchi／Kubonjinyorai／Hodanomisho／Harimanokunitaganosho/
<Inscription on the side of the edge>
結縁藤井為正／弘安四年辛巳九月十六日鋳之／
Kechienfujiitamemasa／Koanyonenkanotomikugatsujyurokunichikorewochusu（Created on September 16, 1281）／
※Note: “／” shows positions of line breaks.
(The Second Collection of Works in the Possession of the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of History, 2002, a piece of writing by Yoshifumi Kanbe was partially modified)