Many studies using questionnaires and observational methods to collect information on the pointing gesture in infants have recently been performed. However, no study based on long-term observation is presently available that deals with the appearance and development of pointing as an interaction between mothers and their children. Therefore, this longitudinal study was initiated to observe the development of pointing in infants during their first two years. Four Japanese infants (two males and two females) and their mothers were videotaped while playing with certain toys commonly given to Japanese infants. These videotaped sessions took place 15 minutes once a month from the time the infants were 3 to 24 months of age. (In order to provide supplementary data, play interaction between two of the infants and their mothers was also videotaped when the infants were 1 and 2 months old.) Results are reported and discussed in terms of (1) the development, emergence, and function of pointing behavior and (2) behavior related to the emergence of pointing. Specifically examined were the relationship between pointing and emergence of searching behavior with interposed visual representation, eye pointing and the development of infants' capacity to approach interesting objects, and the conditions necessary for the emergence of pointing behavior. Tables and figures summarizing and illustrating the study's results conclude the document. (MP)