Kondō Ishikawa Toshi-no-tari-boshi (Tomb Record of Ishikawa Toshi)

Basic Information

Catalog ID: 201
Item ID: 835
Category: Archaeological Materials
Country: Japan
Period: Nara Period
Date designated: March 29, 1952
Prefecture: Osaka
Location: Osaka City, Chuo Ward, Otemae 4-chome 1-32, Osaka Prefecture
Owner: Private Individual (Held by the Osaka Museum of History)

Source: Excerpted from the National Designated Cultural Properties Database (https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/bsys/index)

Overview

The Kondō Ishikawa Toshi-no-tari-boshi is a tomb record (boshi) interred in the grave of Ishikawa Toshi, a high-ranking official (kugyō) during the Nara Period (710–794). It is traditionally believed to have been unearthed in 1830 (Bunsei 13) in what is now Oyamasaki Town, Otkun District, Kyoto Prefecture. The artifact consists of a plaque made of copper alloy coated with gold leaf (“gold-copper construction”). Intricate characters are engraved on this plate, detailing Toshi’s official titles, career history, and date of death. It is an extremely valuable historical source for understanding funerary rites and the written culture of the time.

Historical Background

Ishikawa Toshi was a prominent noble family member, grandson of Soga Kurayamazumi Ishikawa no Mamoru, who flourished during the mid-Nara Period. He held important positions such as Monbu Daishō (Director of the Ministry of Education) and Sangi (Councilor), eventually reaching the rank of Third Rank and Chūnagon (Middle Counselor).

The tomb record was created in 762 CE, during the reign of Emperor Kanmu. This period saw Fujiwara no Nakamaro (Emishi no Kōshō) wielding considerable power. Among the noble class at the time, there was a blend of Buddhist views on life and death with established Chinese customs for creating epitaphs. This combination led to the creation of metal tomb records like this one.

Features and Significance

The Kondō Ishikawa Toshi-no-tari-boshi is highly valued by both archaeologists and historians due to its excellent state of preservation and the accuracy of its inscriptions.

Superior Craftsmanship: The plaque, made from copper approximately 3 mm thick, features careful gold plating. Despite being over a thousand years old, it retains a brilliant golden luster.
Intricate Script: The surface is neatly engraved with 13 lines containing a total of 130 Chinese characters. The style reflects the prevailing trends of the era—a refined Kaisho (standard script)—making it a crucial standard work in the history of Japanese calligraphy during the Nara Period.
Record Accuracy: The epitaph records specific official titles, such as “Third Rank and Middle Counselor, also Minister of Records and Departmental Affairs” (Seisan-i Chūnagon kanyō Gokuri-kan Jibu-kyō). It also notes his death at age 75 on September 30, 762 CE. This makes it a primary contemporary source that corroborates accounts found in official histories like the Sangoku Nihonki.
Historical Value: Among ancient tomb records discovered in Japan, those belonging to clearly identified individuals and high-ranking officials are rare. This artifact vividly illustrates the reality of aristocratic funerary practices during the Nara Period.