Magatama

Magatama (Japanese勾 玉, dt " crooked gem " and曲 玉, dt " curved gem " ) are comma-shaped pearls in Japan.

Magatama were already found in Japan in a number of prehistoric sites of the Jomon, Yayoi period and the Kofun period and date back nearly 3,000 years.

Magatama are usually made ​​of jadeite or jade, the only in the area of the river Itoi in the northern central Japan ( and Myanmar ) is derived. Magatama were made ​​of other materials like crystals, glass and nephrite.

They were often used in burial mounds ( Kofun ) as grave goods. They were also found at sites of festivals and rituals. They were all the Kofun period through popular among the ruling elite and were often misinterpreted as a sign of the Yamato dynasty in Japan.

Some see them as an imperial insignia, although the findings show that their possession was spread over all tribal areas of the Kofun period in Japan. It is believed that the Magatama had a spiritual significance, but were next to worn as jewelry. In the spiritual meaning they were ousted in the Nara period of the Buddhist prayer beads.

In modern Japan, the shape of the Magatama is still the usual symbol of the human spirit. Wearing a Magatama to bring protection from the Kami. The form represents one half of the Taoist symbol of Yin and Yang.

Although some see the origin of the Magatama on the Asian mainland and spread through Korea ( where they are known as Kokkok ) accept to Japan, so far no production facility Magatama on the mainland (China, Manchuria, Siberia ) was found. The Korean kokkok are indistinguishable from contemporary Japanese pieces, a fact that suggests rather that they were exported from Japan to Korea.

In modern parlance, the term is Magatama (drop beads) for small, oval beads with off-center holes. Both these and the old Magatama are known in Korea as kokkok.

Yasakani no Magatama

The most important magatama Yasakani no Magatama (八尺 琼 曲 玉) is a part of the throne and regalia of Japan was this added to the Heian period. The Yasakani no Magatama stands for " benevolence " and is one of three items used in the coronation ceremony.

According to Japanese mythology, these gems were combined with a mirror on a tree in front of the cave in which Amaterasu had hidden, hung to her out. It is believed that it is Yasakani no Magatama rather is a necklace of jade magatama than a single gemstone, as it is depicted in popular culture. It is further assumed that these now in Kogyo, the Imperial Palace, is located.

In popular culture, Yasakani no Magatama is as a baseball -sized ball with a tail, similar to a three-dimensional point, depicted with a hole in the center. This original Magatama to be broken in some way and then have been fashioned in today's jade necklace, but for which there is no historical evidence.