National Treasures & Important Cultural Properties
of National Institutes for Cultural Heritage, Japan

These cylindrical beads or bars were excavated from the Tomio Maruyama Tumulus located in Maruyama, Ôwada-chô, Nara City. In comparison to similar beads made from jasper, the stone is softer and its colors are lighter. Since there is a small hole running lengthwise through each bead, they were probably made into necklaces and other jewelry.
The shapes are typical of the early Kofun period.