About this objectAmong the offerings found at ritual sites on Okinoshima were many glass beads and this fragment of a blown glass vessel with relief cut decorations. Analysis has shown many of the beads and this fragment to be glass made in the Sasanian empire (AD 224–651). Several complete vessels, similar to the one this fragment belonged to, have been found in China and Korea, showing that fragile but high value glass items were transported by land as well as sea.
This piece was used as an offering to the traditional gods of the island, but glass was also important in Buddhism.
Date Made5th to 7th century
Subject and Association KeywordsEncounters
Subject and Association DescriptionLearn More: Abe et al. 2021; Henderson 2022; Simpson 2014; UNESCO 2017
