Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 0270-0004   CAS 0270-0004; Amulet
Category Carvings
Object Name Amulet
Culture Japanese
Global Region East Asia
Country Japan
State/Prov./Dist. unknown
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture Kofun Period: 250-538 CE
Collection Name N/A
Materials Stone: steatite
Description Large amulet, often called a comma-shaped bead, carved from a single piece of stone; Crescent-shaped bead is a solid cylinder in cross-section, with both ends rounded; 12 raised nodules are arranged in two rows of six nodules each along each lateral side; On the dorsal side are two elongated protrusions and along the ventral side is a single elongated protrusion; A single biconically drilled perforation is located near one end; Beads of this type may have been worn around the waist by means of a heavy cord; Many examples have been found in ritual sites, primarily in the Kantô, Kinai, and Kyûshû regions.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 5.3, Thickness = 3.5, Length = 12.1