Ryukyu Survey 1960

Kokubu, Naoichi; Kaneko, Erika (1962). "Ryukyu Survey 1960". Asian Perspectives. 78 (6): 77–138. ISSN 1535-8283.

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Abstract: An artifact, which was said to have been picked up on the site of an abandoned house at Saboaru, is a pointed egg-shaped pellet of light red polished coral-stone (Fig 11 a, 7). It measures in diameter 3,2 cm., longitudinal axis 5,9 em. While we were sketching the object, Mr Uesedo, who appears to be in his sixties, said that stone-throwing was a favourite pastime in his boyhood. His own elders told him that in former times stone-throwing was not a sport, but done in fighting, and the pellets were known as 'fighting-stones'. Mr Uesedo then demonstrated the technique of throwing; a strong cord is knotted round the pellet, and its free end held between thumb and forefinger. This contraption is whirled round the head in the way of hammer-throwing. The pellet is released at the right velocity and the correct angle; the cord remains in the thrower's hand for further use. Slings are amongst the most widely distributed weapons. In Indonesia stone-throwing with or without the use of a sling is done in fighting (Heine-Geldern 1923: 878). Admiral Porter gives a similar report on Micronesia, Melanesia, Polynesia; in fighting the Marquesans, he says, that their stone barrage was almost as accurate as musketry fire (Linton 1956: 78). Pellets of identical shape with our Taketomi pellet are reported from the Carolines and Marianas (Krieger 1943: 27). From prehistoric Japan so far only one instance has been reported (Yawata 1949: 129-30). However, clay pellets of identical form were recovered from several Yayoi sites in Kyushii (Iizuka jX;ij( town, Tateike 1Z:tm town, Takabuki, etc)...

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MAG: 2321640523
OpenAlex: W2321640523
CorpusID: 180430937