Magatamaas

Magatamaas is a term that may be used to refer to multiple magatama beads in English-language discussions. Magatama themselves are curved, comma-shaped beads that originated in the Jomon period of Japan and continued to be produced into the Kofun era and beyond. They were crafted from materials such as jade, agate, glass, or stone and varied in size from small amulet-like forms to larger ceremonial pieces.

Historically, magatama served both decorative and ritual purposes. They were worn as personal jewelry, used in ceremonial regalia, and, in some contexts, placed with the deceased in kofun burial mounds as symbols of status, protection, or spiritual significance. In Shinto belief, magatama are associated with sacred power and are sometimes linked to the Three Sacred Treasures of Japan, though the exact symbolic framework can vary by source and period.

Today, magatama remain a culturally emblematic motif in Japan. They are reproduced for jewelry, decorative objects, and talismans, often leveraging traditional color schemes such as green jade or pale translucent stones. Archaeological finds continue to inform understanding of production techniques, regional variation, and the social roles of these beads in ancient societies.

Etymologically, magatama comes from a Japanese root meaning to curve, with tama meaning jewel. In English, the plural of magatama is usually magatama or magatamas; the form magatamae is occasionally encountered as a Latinized plural. Magatamaas, as a term, thus points to collections or instances of these beads rather than a distinct separate object.