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
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