In Omuta City, Fukuoka Prefecture, where there are burial mounds designated as national historic sites, such as the Kakutsuzuka Burial Mound, children experienced making ancient ornaments called Magatama during their summer vacation.
A total of 8 local elementary school students participated in the magic ball making event held at the Miike Karuta Historical Museum to deepen their understanding of ancient lifestyles and cultural assets.
After receiving an explanation about how magatama were made as amulets, the children observed magatama, which were excavated from ancient tombs in the city and are stored in the museum.
Then, a soft stone called "takaroishi" is sanded with a metal file to shape it.
A boy in the fifth grade of elementary school said, "It was difficult to scrape and make the surface smooth. I want to wear the Magatama around my neck when I go out."
Shinsuke Kajiwara, the director of the Miike Karuta Historical Museum, said, "The children worked hard to make it with the feeling of ancient people. We also have a magatama from the Kofun period on display at our museum, so we went to see it. So, I want you to see the real Magatama."