Magatama (Japanese name; called Kokkok in Korean) are curved beads which first appear in Japan around the late Yayoi 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 the Kofun Period Japan.
Magatama are believed to have come from the Asian continent through Korea, where they are known as Kokkok. The Korean Kokkok are pretty much inditinguishable from their Japanese contemporaries, a fact which suggests that during this period Japan was closely engaged politacally and economically with the Asian continent through the Korean Peninsula.
