Japan · Ritual Objects / Metalwork, Beadwork and Textiles
ノロの祭祀具 (Noro no Saishigu)
Noro (ノロ) are the priestesses of Ryukyuan religion, organized into a state hierarchy under King Shō Shin (r. 1477–1526). At its head stood the kikoe-ōgimi (聞得大君), a king's sister or queen, above the high priestesses and village noro across the kingdom. On appointment a noro received a royal letter of appointment and ritual regalia: magatama necklaces of crystal and glass, hairpins (kanzashi), fans and ritual dress (white robes, and grass crowns worn in possession). This record is partial by design, because these objects are sacred and much of the relevant knowledge is held privately. Two fixed points are public. The kikoe-ōgimi's gilt-bronze cloud-and-dragon hairpin (金銅雲龍文簪) dates from the 16th–17th century. It is 27 cm long, with a 10.8 cm head chased in three dimensions with two dragons holding a jewel, and the Council for Cultural Affairs recommended it for national Important Cultural Property on 15 March 2024. The Okinawa Prefectural Museum made a replica in fiscal 2016, hammering 0.4 mm copper and mercury-gilding it to recover the lost technique. Meanwhile the Nakijin noro's magatama and hairpin, bestowed by the king and used in ritual for more than 600 years, remain in ritual use at the Nakijin noro dunchi. Its noro have ended routine photography of them.
Risk level: Critically Endangered · Not inscribed. Kondō unryū-mon kanzashi (kikoe-ōgimi's hairpin): recommended for national Important Cultural Property (craft category) on 15 March 2024; previously an Okinawa Prefecture designated cultural property
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