Magatama(勾玉) (Japanese name; called Kokkok in Korean) are curved beads which first appear in Japan during the Jomon period of Japan. They are often found inhumed in mounded tumulus graves as offerings to deities (see grave goods). They continue to be popular with the ruling elites throughout the Kofun Period of Japan, and are often romanicised as being indicative of the Yamato Dynasty of Japan. Some consider them to be an Imperial symbol, although in fact ownership was widespread throughout all the chieftainships of Kofun Period Japan. It is believed that magatama were popularly worn as jewels for decoration as well as carrying religious meanings until its religious functions were largely replaced by Buddhist prayer beads in Nara period.

Its unique shape of the circle with a flowing tail is considered as a representation of the human spirit. Even today, the visual representation of human spirits in Japan takes the form of a glowing sphere with a trailing tail. To wear one while one is alive is considered as a way of gaining protections from kami.

While some claim that magatama have come from the Asian continent through Korea, where they are known as kokkok, no site had been found in the Asian continent where the production of magatama had been done nor had there been such discovery in neighboring China, Manchuria, and Siberia. The Korean kokkok are indistinguishable from their Japanese contemporaries, a fact which suggests that kokkok were exported from Japan during this period.

The most important magatama is that of Japanese imperial regalia, Yasakani no magatama which is one of the three item used in the ceremony of imperial ascension.

See also

• Amaterasu
• Japanese mythology
• Shinto
• Susanowo