Magatama (or ), are curved beads which first appeared in Japan during the Jōmon period. They're often found inhumed in mounded tumulus graves as offerings to deities (see grave goods). They continued to be popular with the ruling elites throughout the Kofun Period of Japan, and are often romanticised as indicative of the Yamato Dynasty of Japan. They're mainly made of jade, agate, quartz, talc, and jasper . Some consider them to be an Imperial symbol, although in fact ownership was widespre… (More on Magatama)