Development of the Production of Beads and Jade Objects
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Faceted Bead
Found at the Izumi Koganezuka Tumulus, Osaka, Kofun period, 4th–5th century (Important Cultural Property)Japanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
December 12, 2023 (Tue) - June 23, 2024 (Sun)Beads produced in the Kofun period (ca. 3rd–7th century), which changed in complicated ways over time, show great variety both in terms of type and material. They were combined in various ways depending on who wore them and what rituals they were used for. In the first half of the Kofun period, the Hokuriku and San’in regions – located along the Sea of Japan – were the main centers of the bead production, while the latter half of the period saw mass production even in the Kinki region, where Kyoto and Osaka are located today.
| Designation | Name | Creation/ Excavation/ Provenance |
Period | Acquisition/ Ownership/ Accession Number |
CMT | ||
| Highlight | Comma-Shaped Bead ("Magatama") | Found at the Gunpaiyama Tumulus, Gunma | Kofun period, 5th century | J-20816 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Faceted Bead | Found at the Izumi Koganezuka Tumulus, Osaka | Kofun period, 4th–5th century | J-36931-33 | ||
| Highlight | Beads | Found at the Okuyama Ōtsuka Tumulus, Hyōgo | Kofun period, 5th century | J-23006 |