Abstract
IN my letter on this subject that appeared in NATURE (vol. li. p. 199, December 27, 1894), I have suggested that the ancient Japanese usage on divorce-papers of the finger-marks was probably adopted from the Chinese “Laws of Yung-Hwui” (circa 650–55 A.D.), issued under the reign of the third emperor of the Tang. As these “Laws,” however, are nowadays lost1, I had but little hope to investigate further the matter. However, elsewhere a passage has lately been found, giving confirmation to my view that the Chinese usage of the finger-prints for identification was current in the time of the same dynasty of Tang.
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References
K. Konakamura in "Nipon Rikishi Hyôrin," Tôkyô, 1893, vol. vi. p. 24.
In a translation by E. Renaudot (Paris, 1718, p. 33), and thence in Pinkerton's "Collection," London, 1811, vol. vii. p. 192, this sentence is rendered thus: "When any person commences a suit against another, he sets down his claim in writing, and the defendant writes down his defence, which he signs, and holds between his fingers" Here no mention is made of finger-marks; instead of it a meaningless clause is given. Reinaud says Renaudot committed errors in his version ("Introduction," p. ii.), and the present case is apparently one.
"Über den Magnetismus der Planeten," von Ernst Leyst . ("Repertorium für Meteorologie," vol. xvii. No. 1. St. Petersburg, 1894.)
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MINAKATA, K. The Antiquity of the Finger-Print Method. Nature 53, 317–318 (1896). https://doi.org/10.1038/053317e0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/053317e0
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