青竜刀形石器考
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概要
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Polished stone objects in the shape of broadswords (Figures 1 & 2), used in China in relatively modern times, have been uncovered from over a wide area in the northern district of Japan, namely from Akita, Iwate and Aomori Prefectures, and from southwestern Hokkaido. Most of the excavated stone broadswords measure about 30 cm in length, with some having a length of 36.5cm. However, the largest stone broadswords found to date were excavated at Kami-no-Kuni Village in Hokkaido, measuring 37.5cm in length, and at the Saibana site in Mutsu City, Aomori Prefecture, measuring 38 cm in length. Examples of stone broadswords, shown in Figure 3, were excavated from Middle Jomon culture sites. Each sword has a round bulb-like protrusion midway between the blade section and its hilt. Examples shown in Figure 6 are stone broadswords excavated from Later Jomon culture sites. The blade section of stone broadswords excavated from Middle Jomon culture sites is semi-circular in shape, short, and has no bulb-like protrusion, whereas, stone broadswords from Later Jomon sites disclose a blade section which is oval in shape, long, and with a small bulb-like protrusion. The lower photograph of Figure 1, showing stone broadswords (same as #5 of Figure 6) excavated from the Kamioda site, Karumai Town, Iwate Prefecture are objects of the last period of the Later Jomon culture. It appears that the bulb-like protrusion on stone broadswords became enlarged towards the end of the Jomon cultural era. All traces of stone broadswords disappear from sites of the Latest Jomon culture which forces one to imagine that production of stone broadswords was suddenly stopped prior to the beginning of the Latest Jomon culture period. As shown in the appendix to this article, approximately 50 examples of stone broadswords have been found, none in perfect condition, to date. Numbers 5, 7, and 22, with only the blade section shown, were excavated by archaeologists, hence, their excavation data are clear. It is known that these three artifacts were excavated from the hard Andesite soil strata.It is believed that these stone broadswords were first formed with a stone mallet-type tool and then polished into finished form. Since no definite functional marks can be seen on these stone broadswords, it is difficult to believe that they were used as tools. It is interesting that the major portion of the 50 examples of stone broadswords have broken hilts. Perhaps these hard stone broadswords were purposely broken near the base of the hilt during some form of ritual. Furthermore, since the polished stone broadsword hilt resembles a stone axe handle, one can easily make a mistake in identifying the two. A close examination of artifacts will readily indicate the difference. It is most interesting that none of the excavated sites have divulged any broken fragments of only the hilt portion of stone broadswords. This single fact must also be given serious consideration in further studies on this subject. As indicated in the cross-sectional visw of the scaled drawings in Figures 3 and 6, the form of these stone objects closely resembles Chinese broadswords. However, unlike the sharp Chinese swords, these stone objects have a dull, thick blade section with a shallow groove running through their center. In fact, the area opposite the blade section is polished from both sides and more closely resembles a sword blade. Most of the stone sword-shaped objects found at Middle to Latest Jomoii culture sites are made from polished shale, clay shale, and other soft aqueous rocks. These stone objects also have a dull, thick blade section with sharp, polished blade-like area on the opposite side, and closely resemble the characteristics, of stone broadswords. It is also important to remember that most of the sites from which stone broadswords were uncovered are located on the banks of large rivers and on shoreline embankments of small river valleys through which salmon and trout swam upstream. This fact may give some indication as to the actual use of stone broadswords. When one compares the earthenware forms of the late Early Jomon culture period to those of the preceding period, one can see vast stylistic changes. One can also observe that the people of the Middle Jomon culture period achieved a stabilized eating habit as compared to people of previous periods ; also a more complex life pattern. From study of archaeological sites and artifacts, one can surmise that stone placements and stone pillars, used for religious ceremonies and for offering at places of worship, greatly increased during the Middle Jomon culture period. One can further surmise that the primitive food-gathering economy gradually developed towards one of growing and storing food resources, thus resulting in the emergenece of the first phase of a primitive agrarian society. Against this religious, social and economic background in the late Early Jomon culture period one can understand the reasons for the development of a special type of religious worship object in the form of stone broadswords. Then, for reasons still unclear, the production of stone broadswords was brought to an end during the late Later Jomon culture period and was probably replaced by other forms of stone objects.
- 慶應義塾大学の論文