Bronze Epitaph of Funashi Ōgo: A 1,350-Year-Old Voice from Ancient Japan

Deep within the collections of the Mitsui Memorial Museum in Tokyo lies one of Japan's most extraordinary archaeological treasures: a slender bronze tablet measuring just 30 centimeters long and 7 centimeters wide. This unassuming artifact—the Bronze Epitaph of Funashi Ōgo (銅製船氏王後墓誌)—holds the distinction of being Japan's oldest dated epitaph, offering an intimate glimpse into the life of a distinguished immigrant official who served three consecutive emperors during the transformative Asuka period.

What is the Bronze Epitaph of Funashi Ōgo?

The Bronze Epitaph of Funashi Ōgo is a remarkable piece of metalwork crafted in 668 CE (the 7th year of Emperor Tenji's reign). This thin, rectangular bronze plate—barely 1 millimeter thick—bears 162 characters of carefully incised text: 86 on the front and 76 on the reverse. The inscription chronicles the life, career, and burial of Fune no Ōgo (船王後), a high-ranking official from the Baekje-descended Fune clan who made significant contributions to the Yamato court.

The epitaph was discovered during the Edo period near the Matsuoka-yama hills in what is now Kashiwara City, Osaka Prefecture. Though the precise circumstances of its discovery remain unclear, this small bronze plate has become an invaluable resource for understanding 7th-century Japanese society, the role of immigrant communities, and the development of written culture in ancient Japan.

Why Was It Designated a National Treasure?

The Bronze Epitaph of Funashi Ōgo was first designated an Important Cultural Property in 1953, then elevated to National Treasure status in 1961. Several factors contributed to this prestigious recognition:

• Historical Primacy: As Japan's oldest surviving epitaph with a confirmed date, it represents an unparalleled primary source for 7th-century Japanese history.
• Linguistic Significance: The inscription provides crucial evidence for the development of written Japanese, including early administrative terminology and the adaptation of Chinese characters for Japanese names.
• Cultural Documentation: The epitaph offers detailed information about the Cap Rank System (Kan'i Jūnikai), official titles, and burial practices during the Asuka period.
• Immigrant Heritage: As a monument to a Baekje-descended family, it illuminates the vital role played by immigrant communities in shaping early Japanese civilization.

The Story Inscribed in Bronze

The epitaph tells the story of Fune no Ōgo, grandson of Wang Zhiren (王智仁), the founder of the Fune clan. According to the inscription, Ōgo was born during the reign of Emperor Bidatsu (572-585 CE) and served at the courts of Empress Suiko and Emperor Jomei. His exceptional abilities and loyal service were recognized by Emperor Jomei, who bestowed upon him the rank of Dainin (大仁)—the third highest of the twelve cap ranks established in 603 CE.

Ōgo died on December 3, 641 CE, and the epitaph records that he was buried on Matsuoka-yama in December 668 CE, 27 years after his death. This delayed burial coincided with the death of his wife, Ariko no Toji (安理故能刀自), and the couple was interred together in a tomb adjacent to that of Ōgo's elder brother, Torako (刀羅古).

The final lines of the inscription express a poignant wish: that this burial site shall serve as "a secure foundation for the spirits of ten thousand generations" and "a treasure land made firm for eternity."

The Fune Clan: Scribes and Scholars from Baekje

The Fune clan (船氏) was a distinguished immigrant family that traced its origins to the Korean kingdom of Baekje. According to the Nihon Shoki chronicle, the clan's founder, Wang Zhiren (also known as Ō Shinji, 王辰爾), came to Japan during the reign of Emperor Kinmei. In 553 CE, he was tasked with counting and recording ship taxes, demonstrating his exceptional literacy and mathematical skills—talents that were rare and highly valued in this period.

Wang Zhiren's abilities earned him the surname "Fune" (船, meaning "ship") and the title of "Ship Manager." His descendants continued to serve the imperial court as scribes, diplomats, and scholars. The clan's headquarters were located in the Nonaka area of Kawachi Province (modern-day Fujiidera and Habikino cities in Osaka), where they built the temple Nonaka-dera as their family temple.

This heritage of literacy and learning made the creation of such a sophisticated epitaph possible. The careful attention to historical detail, proper use of Chinese literary conventions, and the physical craftsmanship of the bronze tablet all reflect the Fune clan's cultured background.

Highlights and Points of Interest

When viewing this National Treasure, visitors can appreciate several remarkable aspects:

• Extraordinary Craftsmanship: The bronze plate's extreme thinness (just 1 millimeter) and the precision of the incised characters demonstrate exceptional metalworking skills.
• Traces of Gold Plating: Faint remnants of gilding can still be observed on the surface, suggesting the original plate may have been gold-plated—a testament to the importance attached to this memorial.
• Unique Character Usage: The inscription includes Japanese names written phonetically using Chinese characters (man'yōgana style), providing valuable linguistic evidence.
• Historical References: The text mentions multiple imperial courts using poetic palace names, offering insights into how 7th-century Japanese perceived their own recent history.

Where to See the Epitaph

The Bronze Epitaph of Funashi Ōgo is housed in the Mitsui Memorial Museum in Tokyo's Nihonbashi district. However, as the museum does not maintain permanent exhibitions and instead rotates its collection through special exhibitions, the epitaph is only displayed occasionally. Visitors interested in viewing this National Treasure should check the museum's exhibition schedule in advance.

For those who wish to visit the original discovery site, the Matsuoka-yama Kofun cluster in Kashiwara City offers an atmospheric journey through ancient history. Although no direct evidence of Fune no Ōgo's actual tomb has been found, the area's archaeological significance—including the Matsuoka-yama Kofun (a National Historic Site) and artifacts designated as Important Cultural Properties—makes it a worthwhile destination for history enthusiasts.

Surrounding Area Information

Mitsui Memorial Museum (Tokyo): Located on the 7th floor of the historic Mitsui Main Building (itself an Important Cultural Property), the museum is just a 1-minute walk from Mitsukoshi-mae Station. The Nihonbashi area offers excellent shopping and dining options, and visitors can explore nearby cultural sites such as the Bank of Japan headquarters and Nihonbashi Bridge.

Kashiwara City (Osaka): The site traditionally associated with the epitaph's discovery lies within the Matsuoka-yama Kofun cluster behind Kokubu Shrine. The area is accessible from Kawachi-Kokubu Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line (about 15 minutes on foot). Visitors should wear sturdy shoes for the hillside paths and bring insect repellent during summer months. The Kashiwara City Historical Museum displays related artifacts and provides context for the region's rich archaeological heritage.