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The Magatama, or curved jewels, being made of ground and polished stone may be called jewelry; but since some of these prehistoric ornaments dug up from the ground are found to be of jade, a mineral which does not occur in Japan, it is evident that some of these tokens of culture came from the continent.
It is generally supposed that the magatama represented a tiger's claw, which is known to have been regarded by the Koreans as an amulet.
The Chronicles and the Records alike show that these jewels, especially the magatama, acted an important part in some remarkable scenes in the mythological age. Moreover, a sword, a mirror, and a magatama, may be called the regalia of Japan. But these jewels afford little aid in identifying the Yamato.
*Professor Takashima has found magatama among the relics of the primitive culture, but that is probably the result of imitation. The goddess of the Sun, when awaiting the encounter with Susanoo, twisted a complete string, eight feet long, with five hundred magatama. Lesser Kami were created by manipulating the jewels.
Some of these magatama curved jewels or perforated cylinders were made of very hard stone which requires skill to drill, cut and polish. Among the substances used was jade, a mineral found only in Cathay.
"The stone objects may be divided into two classes, viz: "A. Articles of use or ornaments , Head-rest; , Mortar and pestle; , Caskets and vessels; , Cups and other vessels; , Bracelets; , Magatama; , Other ornaments; , Plumb-line pendant; , Spindle-weight; , Objects of unascertained function. The above list does not include pottery.
When Amaterasu retired into a cave, magatama were hung from the branches of a sakaki tree to assist in enticing her out. Several other reverential allusions are made to the jewels in later times. Mention is also made of rakan, but the meaning of the term is obscure. Probably it was a variety of jade. The pottery found in the Yamato tombs is somewhat more instructive than the personal ornaments.
The Guji then calls my attention to the quaint relics lying upon the long low bench between us, which is covered with white silk: a metal mirror, found in preparing the foundation of the temple when rebuilt many hundred years ago; magatama jewels of onyx and jasper; a Chinese flute made of jade; a few superb swords, the gifts of shoguns and emperors; helmets of splendid antique workmanship; and a bundle of enormous arrows with double-pointed heads of brass, fork-shaped and keenly edged.
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