Final answer:
The ancient Japanese magic mirror is connected to Shintoism, the ethnic religion of Japan. It was utilized during the Yamato era for spiritual and religious activities, including the consolidation of political power through religious influence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ancient Japanese invention of the magic mirror has roots traceable back to religious transformations during the beginning of Japan’s Yamato era. Importantly, this invention was not associated with monotheistic religions like Judaism, Christianity, or Islam, but rather with indigenous spiritual practices of Japan which later developed into Shintoism. This ethnic religion of Japan focuses on ritual practices to diligently establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past.
Women in positions of power, such as Empress Suiko, utilized imported technologies such as mirrors in combination with piety, the rigorous study of sutras, and the construction of shrines and temples to help solidify their political influence and bolster their religious activities, which paved the way for later widespread acceptance of Buddhism in Japan. The magic mirror and practices like it became intertwined with the spiritual and political aspects of society in this era. Therefore, the magic mirror was originally used to aid religious and spiritual activities connected to practices indigenous to Japan and Shintoism.