Cylindrical Seal from Cyprus (キプロスの円筒形印章）
After gathering convincing evidence that the background language of Linear A script was Japanese, I started to work on Cypro-Minoan script and the Cypriot syllabary, considered as offshoots of Linear A, in late spring of 2022. The purpose was to see if they, too, recorded an ancient form of Japanese. Given established sound values, I was able to decipher the bilingual text from Amathus and 8 other texts from ancient Cyprus.
In the bilingual text, the message in the Greek text was consistent with my Japanese translation of the text in Cypriot syllabary. Moreover, the cartoons, if depicted, provided evidence that the translations reflected the original message, and this has been a source of great encouragement and motivation.
To turn to the cylindrical clay seal (No. 19.10), this was discovered in 1967, in Enkomi, an ancient site in Cyprus, near Famagusta. It contains 27 lines of Cypro-Minoan script and was used to create impressions by rotation.
There are Illustrations in J. Chadwick's, Linear B: The Scripts of the Ancient Mediterranean, as Figure 32. Silvia Ferrara has uploaded a photo on, CREWS Display: A Cypro-Minoan Clay Ball.
Emilia Masson had created an elaborate copy of the inscription, as seen after rotation, and Dutch researcher Fred C. Woudhuizen transposed this on page 30 of his online paper, The Language of Linear C and Linear D from Cyprus, of 2017. Lines 10-16 are also displayed in, Luwian Studies 914 Cypro-Minoan Syllabary.
Last year, I came across the original research paper by E. Masson in the library of the Middle Eastern Culture Center in Tokyo. It was included in, ALASIA Volume 4, compiled in 1971 by the ALASIA Archaeological Mission of Paris. After an earlier attempt to understand the phonetics for decipherment, this paper is a presentation of my revised analysis and translation into Japanese, with the benefit of this new resource.
I. Irregular Symbols
In general, if a symbol is formed by adding a single line segment or dash on to a standard symbol, whose sound value is already known, then SI or YA is added to that sound value; if there are two extra dashes or bars, NI is added.
In particular, the following irregular symbols were assigned with revised sound values, given the sound values of similar symbols, common to Linear A and B:
1. Symbols that resemble a W, but with dots added just below the two points at the bottom, are read as MA.
2. Vertical bars, shaped like an S, each with a short dash descending from the top right side, are read as SI/YA; if the dash is struck slightly apart from the top, they are read as NO. Given their appearance and possible sound value of YA-SI (palm tree), they project cartoon images of palm trees.
3. The symbol resembling ロ is read as LU, for its resemblance to LU in Cypriot syllabary. Alternatively, it is read as YO, counting the 4 sides.
4. The V symbol, with a short horizontal bar at the bottom and a short dash hanging from the upper right, is read as MI, in consistency with Cypro-Minoan script or YU, with reference to the similar symbol JU, in Linear A (AB65).
5. On the 3rd and 8th lines, there are symbols that resemble A, in Cypro-Minoan script, albeit written with 2 short vertical bars (instead of the usual, single bar) inside the "basket" on top, and they can be read as ANI/ARA/ASI/AYA. However, for the purpose of reading this text, they are interpreted as shorthand for ALASIYA or, ancient Cyprus. Sometimes, they have extra bars added on and, in that case, they are read as ALASIYA-SI or NO-ALASIYA.
II. Romanization and Interpretation (Japanese and English)
(From Left to Right; from Right to Left, in brackets)
1. E MI/YU SI-RU/SI-NU TI YA TI
笑み 許しぬ/油脂塗る 地。ヤシ
A land that permits smiles, where one is anointed with balm. Palm trees
(地ヤシで塗りし、弓/夢の絵)
(A picture of a bow/ dream, painted with local palm trees.)
2. MO/(MO-ISA-NAI)/(NI-SAN-YA) SA/YA ‘ SA NANI/NARA YUMI/NOYUYA TI NO I/HI
も誘いさ/優しいさ。そんなに言う、湯道の碑。
Too, beckon you/ lend a gentle touch, says this epitaph by the road to the hot springs.
（命/ヒノキの湯浴みなら、さあさ、兄さんや）
(Come enjoy the hot springs of life, by trees of fire/ the cypress, big brother.)
3. TE NO MA LI KI NO TI NO ALASIYA
天の 万力/魔力、木の地のアラシヤ
The magical power of Heaven on Alasiya, land of trees.
(アラシヤの地の霧、魔の 手)
(In the land of Alasiya, the mist descends, like demons’ hands.)
4. A ？ ？ ‘ KA-SI PA ALASIYA-SI RO
A ？ ？ 樫の葉の、アラシヤを知ろう
Come and get to know Alasiya, the oak leaf.
(下ろし。アラシヤは、しか ？ ？ ？ ？)
(Not legible)
5. TI NO ？ SA YO/LU NO-ALASIYA ‘
地の ？ ？ 夜のアラシヤ。
Alasiya by night……… land
(アラシヤの夜 ？ ？ の地)
(Night in Alasiya, land of………)
6. A-LA SI-YA NE(？) PA YA/NO TI NO PA NO
嵐の屋根は、八千の葉の、ノアの
Shelter from storms comes from the eight thousand leaves of
(ノアの地の矢は、根ヤシ。嵐)
(The arrows of Noah's land are the root palms. Storms)
7. TIYA/TISI TO NO ‘ PA NO SU MA SI
地ヤシとの由。ノアの 住まし
Noah’s local palm trees, that is, from where he used to live,
(待つのは、喉地)
(Are awaited in the throat-land)
8. TI NO SA/YA NO ISI KA ‘ ALASIYA NO
地のサヤの石か。アラシヤの
With stones inside the pods. Alasiya,
(のアラシヤ、樫の産地)
(of Alasiya, producer of oak,)
9. SA NA-NI/RA YU-SA TI NO LI MOYA KA/TIYASI
そんなに言う、幸の里は、もやか。
Happy country of such claims seems covered in mist.
(地ヤシも、森の治癒さ。ならさ、)
(Also of the local palm, in forests that heal and restore. In that case,)
10. YO/LU NO SA/TA YU/MI KA ‘ KOYOI IKOYO
夜の沙汰、夢か。今宵、行こうよ
The nights are like dreams. Let’s go out this evening.
（行こうよ、今宵。痒み沙汰の夜）
(Let’s go out this evening, it’s just full of itchiness.)
11. RO SI-YA E LI YO/LU TE KO NO E
よろしや、遠慮。夜で この宴/縁。
No need for hesitation. In the evening, with this banquet/connection.
（あの子出るよ、梨園の社）
(That girl will appear on stage, in the entertainment theater.)
12. KO NO HI SI/NO TI I-KO KAYA YA
この日、菱の地 行こうかや。
Shall we go visit the diamond place today?
（牢屋、かや。濃い地/恋した、火の粉）
(That is like a prison, a thick setup/ that creates sparks of longing.)
13. TI NO SA/TA LI JU TO PA KO
八千の沙汰 （が）理由の、賭博。
The urge to gamble is for some eight thousand problems.
（ここはと、遊里。揺れ沙汰の地）
(This is a place for pleasure, of shaky affairs.)
14. SE YATI/KA YUMI MO KA TI TA/SA
せやし、弓（三日月）/夢も 勝ちさ/たいさ。
Sure, and the crescent moon bodes well/ I want to win my dream, too.
（幸かも、弓か。勝ち/徒歩せん）
(A sign of good luck, perhaps, that crescent moon, so let’s set out to win/ on foot.)
15. YU/MI KA ‘ SE （ENE） RO SI-NU/SI-RU
弓（三日月）/ 夢か。仕方ない、遠路しぬるか。
A crescent moon/ For your dreams, never mind then, let’s make the long journey.
（死ぬる路、遠征、痒み）
（A deadly pathway, an expedition, with the itch.）
16. KA YO/LU SI-NU KAYA/KASI YA KA SI-NU/SI-RU
夜、死ぬ。蚊帳、貸しや。蚊で、死ぬるや。
This evening will be lethal, though. May I borrow a mosquito net? They are killing me.
（知るか？蚊帳、貸しぬ。夜か）
(Do you feel it too? I’ll lend you a mosquito net. At night,)
17. YA SA/TA YU/MI KA MINI/NIYU KO TO （？）
そうだ、夢/弓（三日月）か。神にこと……
Say, for the dream/ crescent moon, to the Deity,
（床にいるか、痒み沙汰や）
(They are on the bed mattress and so, the itchy affair.)
18. KO PA I-ALASIYA TI MA NI/I-I I RU-SI/SI-NU
乾杯！ アラシヤの島に居るし、
Cheers! Now that we are on the island of Alasiya,
（ヤシ塗る日。良い町アラシヤ氏、パコ！）
(So, apply the essence of palm today. Now bottoms up, for the good town of Alasiya.)
19. KA/TISI A RO TO ‘ I-YO KO
勝ち氏なろうと。「ヒヨコ
Let’s try to be winners. The Chick
(今宵や、灯篭明し)
(This evening, with the candles brightly lit,)
20. RO TI NO MO RO NO YU-NO/MI TI
殺し」飲もう、もうろうの湯を飲みし。
Killer, shall we drink. That warm liquid of stupor.
（湯を呑み、のろまの徴）
(Drink the warm liquid, then the signs of a slowpoke.)
21. YA TE KO NO SU KA SA/TA TI
やって行こう、「鴻巣」（クノッソス）か、さて
Let’s have a game of Knossos,
（ちっとはさ、貸すので、残って）
(I'll lend you some, so stay a little longer)
22. LI-KO/KA-I LO KO-I-YA SA/TA A-SI（?) TI
チリコロ、来いや。沙汰無し……ちっ、
After the trinkle sound, let’s hear it! No results?......Tut,
（やって……明日、最後や。やろうかい）
(To play……. We leave tomorrow, so why not?)
23. (FU) YU KA ‘ DASE ? I/RO TI
不愉快。出せ……イチ
Never mind. Now go! ……..
（チロ……出せ。いかん、言う）
(The mixing trinkle, now! But no, I say.)
24. KORO/KA TA/SA ALASIYA-NO TE MIYA PA MA RANA/NANI
コロだ。アラシヤの手、見や。はまるな、
Gone! This is typical of Alasiya, so don’t fall in.
（何？ まあ、やめて。アラシヤの沙汰）
(What? Well, call it quits. It’s just amusement in Alasiya.)
25. TI RU-SI/NU-SI YA SA YO/LU NO-ALASIYA ‘ TE LO
散財するし。主や、去るよ、夜のアラシヤ。天路へ。
You’ll lose your money. Proprietor, I take leave. I’m going back, under the night sky of Alasiya.
（軽くて。アラシヤの夜さ、ヤシ塗る地）
(Take it easy, it’s an evening in Alasiya, land of palm anointment.)
26. SA NARA YUMI/NOYUYA TI YA TINO SAN-NO/SI
さようなら、夢の湯屋、地ヤシ の産地
Goodbye, lodges of dreamy hot springs, source of the local palm tree,
（資産や地のヤシ、湯屋の夢ならさ）
(The local palm trees are assets, what with dreams of hot springs lodges.)
27. YA/ NISAN KA NUSI /RUSI YA/ NISAN SA LU/YO NO-ALASIYA
や。「兄さん」か、死ぬや。軽しや、兄さん。去る夜の、アラシヤ。
Calling you, big brother, they’ll kill you in the end. “In a light mood, big brother?” Call this our last evening in Alasiya.
（アラシヤの夜、さよう。知る/死ぬかや）
(Alashiya by night. Goodbye, who cares, the place was killing me.)
III. Edited Version in English
(From Left to Right)
1. A land that permits smiles, where one is anointed with balm. The palm trees,
2. Too, beckon you/lend a gentle touch, says this epitaph by the road, to the hot springs.
3. The magical power of Heaven on Alasiya, land of trees.
4. Come and get to know Alasiya, the oak leaf.
5. Alasiya by night……… land
6. Shelter from storms, with the eight thousand leaves of
7. Noah’s local palms, from where he used to live,
8. With stones inside the pods. Alasiya,
9. Happy country of such claims, seems covered in mist.
10. The nights are like dreams. Let’s go out this evening.
11. No need for hesitation. In the evening, with this banquet/connection,
12. Shall we go visit the diamond place today?
13. The urge to gamble is for some eight thousand problems.
14. Sure, but the crescent moon bodes well/ I want to win my dream, too.
15. A crescent moon/ For your dreams, then, never mind then, let’s make the long journey.
16. This evening will be lethal, though. May I borrow the mosquito net? They are killing me.
17. Now, with the dream/ crescent moon, to the Deity,
18. Cheers! Now that we are on the island of Alasiya,
19. Let’s try to be winners. Of the Chick
20. Killer, shall we drink. That warm liquid of stupor.
21. Let’s have a game of Knossos,
22. After the trinkle sound, let’s hear it! No results?......Tut,
23. Never mind. Again, go! ……..
24. Gone! This is typical of Alasiya, so don’t fall in.
25. You’ll lose your money. Proprietor, I take leave now. I’m going back, under
Alasiya’s night sky.
26. Goodbye, lodges of dreamy hot springs, source of the local palm tree,
27. Calling you, big brother, they’ll kill you in the end. “In a light mood, big
brother?” Call this our last evening in Alasiya.
(From right to Left)
1. A picture of a bow/ dream, painted with local palm trees.
2. Come enjoy the hot springs of life, by trees of fire/ the cypress, big brother.
3. In the land of Alasiya, the mist descends, like demons’ hands.
4. (Not legible)
5. Night in Alasiya, land of………
6. The arrows of Noah's land are the root palms. Storms
7. Are awaited in the throat-land
8. Of Alasiya, producer of oak,
9. Also of the local palm, in forests that heal and restore. In that case,
10. Let’s go out this evening, it’s just full of itchiness.
11. That girl will appear on stage, in the entertainment theater.
12. That is like a prison, a thick setup/ that brings sparks of longing,
13. A place of pleasure and shaky affairs.
14. The crescent moon could be a sign of good luck, so let’s set out to win/ on foot.
15. No doubt a deadly pathway and expedition, with the itch.
16. Do you feel it too? I’ll lend you a mosquito net. At night,
17. They are on the bed mattress and, hence, the itchy affair.
18. So, today, we apply the essence of palm. Now bottoms up, for the good town of Alasiya.
19. This evening, with the candles brightly lit,
20. We drink the warm booze and become slowpokes.
21. I'll lend you some, so stay a little longer,
22. To play……. We leave tomorrow, so why not?
23. The mixing trinkle, now! But no, I say.
24. What? Look, call it quits. It’s just an amusement here in Alasiya.
25. Take it easy, it’s an evening in Alasiya, land of palm anointment.
26. The local palm trees are assets, what with dreams of hot springs lodges.
27. Alashiya by night. Goodbye, who cares, the place was killing me.
IV. Commentary
The inscription on this seal is supposed to be from an epitaph on the way to a hot springs resort in Alasiya, as clarified on Line 2, and provides information on the charms and attractions to be anticipated, in the form of a traveler’s tale.
1. Introduction
The first line reads "A picture of a bow/dream," from right to left. Such a bow-shaped coastline can be found in the northwest of Cyprus, in the Paphos region.
Given reference to "hot springs" and "bathing" in the 2nd line, as well as forest bathing in the 9th line (from right to left), research online reveals that in Cyprus, there is the hot spring resort, Kalopanayiotis, known since ancient times for sulfur springs. This is located inland, south of the said, bow-shaped coastline, in a mountainous area covered with forests; this resort must be a strong candidate.
2. The place is described as a land of trees (Line 3, reading from the left) and provides explanations on the different trees to be found:
〇 Palm (Yashi. Line 1, from the left): Also described as root palm (Ne Yashi. Line 6, from the right).
〇 Cypress (Hinoki. Line 2, from the right): Also known as the "fire-starting tree."
〇 Oak (Kashi. Line 4, from the left): This appears 3 times, and in Cyprus, 3 types of oak are known to grow naturally. Among these, the evergreen Golden Oak is most famous. The outline of the island could be described as in the shape of an oak leaf, as on Line 4, reading from the left.
〇 Local palm tree (Ti Yasi): Lines 6-7 (from the left) says "shelter from storms, with eight thousand leaves of Noah’s local palms, " and Line 8 (from the left) speaks of "stones inside the pods,” and Line 26 (from the right) refers to them as assets ; this points to the carob tree, known for its impressive canopy and the edible beans, whose pods hang down from branches.
Consequently, the cylindrical shape of this seal must be in imitation of a tree stump.
3. Noah is likely the biblical figure famous for the Ark. In Cyprus, there is a celebration of Kataklysmos (Great Flood) in early summer, 50 days after Easter. Particularly, the festivities in Larnaca are grand, as Larnaca is said to be built by Kittim, a descendant of Noah.
4. Knossos (Konosu. Line 21, from the left) must be a game that uses a board divided into slots, centered around a "courtyard," in the image of the palace of Knossos in Crete. It may resemble roulette, where dice are mixed in a basket, and the outcome is to determine the winner, who has placed his bets on the game board. “Trinkle sound" in Line 22 must be the sound of the rotating basket. The cylindrical seal may project an image of such a basket. Small clay balls with Cypro-Minoan inscriptions have been discovered on ruins such as Enkomi, and they may have been used in these games.
Cf. Online paper by Philippa Steele from the University of Cambridge, "The Mystery of ancient Cypriot clay balls."
