354 Field Museum of Natural History — Anth., Vol. X. 



nephrite or jadeite material was transmitted to Japan. These jewels 

 may go back, after all, to an early period when historical intercourse 

 between Japan and China was not yet established; they represent two 

 clearly distinct and characteristic types, such as are not found in the 

 jewelry of ancient China. If the Japanese magatama and kudatama 

 would correspond to any known Chinese forms, it would be possible 

 to give a plausible reason for the presence of jade in the ancient 

 Japanese tombs; but such a coincidence of types cannot be brought 

 forward. Nor is it likely that similar pieces will be discovered in China, 

 as necklaces were never used there either anciently or in modern times. 

 We must therefore argue that the two Japanese forms of ornamental 

 stones were either indigenous invention or borrowed from some other 

 non-Chinese culture sphere in southeastern Asia the antiquities of 

 which are unknown to us. It seems plausible to presume that these 

 jewels were first cut in materials found on the soil of Japan, and later 

 on also from nephrite brought over from the mainland. But so far, 

 all indications are lacking as to the channels through which, and as 

 to the time when, such a trade might have been carried on. 



