Notes on the Mammalian Remains Found at Iwaya, Yamagata Prefecture, Japan

Abstract

Shamanistic rosaries were found out at a dilapidated temple, Yamagata Prefecture. They were used by the miko, Japanese mediums, belonging to this temple, from the times of Edo to Mei ji era (about 100 to 200 years ago).
To the rosaries were tied the rostrum parts of jawbones, fangs, nails, horns, marine shells and others. As a result of taxonomical examination, these materials were identified to be those of the bear (Ursus thibetanus japonicus), the dog (Canis familiaris), the fox (Vulpes vulpes japonica), the wild boar (Sus leucomystax leucomystax), the deer (Cervus nippon nippon) and the antelope (Capricornis crispus crispus).
According to the traditional saying, jawbones of Japanese wolves (Canis lupus hodophilax) completely exterminated in this country had been used as accessories of the rosaries in those days. No remains of wolves, however, were included among them, which proved to be the bones of dogs.
The people of mountain villages then believed that a bear and a wolf were sanctified and occult animals, and their remains had been used as a charm to ward off accidents and diseases.
Using these rosaries, the mediums had practiced divination or had exorcized evil spirits from the patients.