Japanese Kagami or Hand Mirror

A crane in flight above a pine, and another standing below it.

This kagami or hand mirror comes from Japan and dates to the Meiji period (1868 – 1912 CE). It is bronze. Japanese bronze mirrors were cast with a polished reflecting face on one side and a decorated back on the other, often bearing auspicious motifs such as cranes and pines, both long associated with longevity. Here the back is cast with a pine tree, a standing crane, water and a second crane in flight. Two large characters appear in raised calligraphy, with a smaller inscription near the edge. The handle is tightly wrapped. It is 11 inches wide and 15.5 high.

A long-life wish, polished for daily use.