The Development of Bead Production
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Comma-Shaped Bead ("Magatama")
Found at the Taniguchi Tumulus, Saga, Kofun period, 4th–5th centuryJapanese Archaeology and Special Exhibition (Heiseikan) Japanese Archaeology Gallery
April 8, 2026 (Wed) - December 6, 2026 (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 Taniguchi Tumulus, Saga | Kofun period, 4th–5th century | J-6202 | |||
| Highlight | Important Cultural Property | Faceted Bead | Found at the Izumi Koganezuka Tumulus, Osaka | Kofun period, 4th–5th century | J-36931-33 | ||
| Highlight | Bead | Found at the Moritsuchiyama Tumulus, Kagawa | Kofun period, 5th–6th century | J-7800 |