Mie: Heian period pottery w/ iroha poem unearthed
A few remnants of heian period pottery on which Iroha poem was written were discovered at the Saigu* site in Meiwa town, Mie prefecture.
According to the Saigu Historical Museum, the pottery was possibly used Heian period between the end of 11th century and early 12th century, judging from other artifacts found in the same layer of the site.
Inside of the pottery, hiragana** letters of “ぬるをわか (nu ru wo wa ka)” were written, and “つねなら (tsu ne na ra)” on the outside; both of which belong to Iroha poem. The museum believes that it is likely to be the oldest written Iroha poem artifact discovered in Japan. Also, it was most likely written by the ladies in waiting to the Deity, and possibly one of very important sources that shows how hiragana might have spread in Heian period.
The pottery will be exhibited at the Saigu Historical Museum from January 21 till March 11, 2012.
*Saigu was a palace where Dieiy, Saio, lived from Asuka period to Kamakura period in Japan. Traditionally, unmarried imperial princesses became Saio to serve the godess of sun, Amaterasu.
**hiragana is one of basic Japanese character sets, sort of like alphabet.
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