Magatama

Magatama (まがたま (帝魂部品) Magatama) are central to the plot of Eyes of Katobi 2. It is also influential in Paper Jet.

They are 140 snake-like remains of a soul; The Magatama are the shards of a shattered soul belonging to one of the Metatrons, miraculously self-preserving and disposed to impart miraculous (Image) powers (in a style similar to certain religious relics). Although never confirmed as such, it is heavily implied to be the shattered soul of Vicus.

## Overview

### Origin

Magatama is a curved, comma-shaped bead. First made of stone and eventually made exclusively of jade, it is used as jewelry and ceremonial objects. In later Japanese mythology, Susanoo presented a Magatama necklace to his sister Amaterasu from the jewel-making deity Tamanoya-no-Mikoto. When she bit off pieces of the jewels and blew them away, they gave rise to new deities.

In Japanese, Magatama is usually written as "勾玉" which translates to "curved jade." It can be often seen in Japanese culture, including the Images throughout Eyes of Katobi that are based specifically on Japanese mythology, such as Himiko, Konohana-Sakuya, and Mitamas, In Eyes of Katobi 2 though, it is written as 帝魂部品 “Emperor’s Soul Parts (“Denrei tamashī buhin”)” with furigana to change the pronunciation.

### Appearance

Magatama are depicted as 140 snake/dragon-like objects, they have layered steel bodies with mostly gemstones (8 rocks, 2 natural glass, 6 organic gemstones, 7 precious metals, and 2 kinds of wood) underbellies, and square-shaped horns. When they are burrowing, they bear a resemblance to the Metallinome from the 1967 series, Captain Ultra.

### Description

The Magatama is a powerful relic that gives individuals Image-like powers, much like the Cupolites, Spears, and Cassettes. However, each Magatama reacts differently to different characters. This can be observed when Teibun, Sasuke, Kiyotan, and Gemstone each take possession of Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire Magatama, respectively.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Magatama is that when it is completed, it blesses its owner and the land it's on. This creates a unique and positive energy that those around it can feel.

During Session 5, Unix discovered that the Magatama is utterly unique and exists in only one multiverse dimension, establishing a “base world”. Interestingly, in neighboring dimensions, the Magatama doesn’t exist and is substituted by winged flowers. This makes the Magatama a truly one-of-a-kind artifact.

### List of Magatama

Garnet Magatama : Granted Unix his Image, Longinus when he was crash landing on Earth. Over his chest appears the phrase "Ο καλύτερος φίλος της κυρίας'' which translates to “Lady’s best friend” in Greek in a font resembling that of the location of the other Magatama.

When brought into a neighboring world, it turns into a thistle.

Amethyst Magatama :

Discovered by Zingoon, it merges with him, granting him access to Image’s Lycanthropy ability, after his defeat, It merges with Lapis, granting him his Das Boot (werewolf transformation) ability.

When brought into a neighboring world, it turns into a winged stalk of myoga ginger.

Aquamarine Magatama :

Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire Magatama : The "Master" of the Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, and Sapphire Magatama appears like a robotic Image composed of four bodies (one half of their body) as one; invisible except where covered by sand, holding one in each hand. All four Magatama have the words Friend of Fire (Ruby), Friend of Earth (Emerald), Friend of Air (Diamond), and Friend of Water (Sapphire) on their bodies, all of which are written in Latin (Amicus Ignis, Amicus Terra, Amicus Aer) except the Sapphire Magatama which is written in Greek (Φίλος του Νερού/Fílos tou Neroú) instead and allows their holder to see Magatama in the possession of others. Unix takes advantage of this ability to track Rassy and can talk through them to guide her, sounding only like a voice in her head

* *Diamond Magatama :* Grants Teibun the Hades (Horologium) stance. When brought into a neighboring world, it turns into a winged chrysanthemum.
* *Emerald Magatama :* When inserted into Kiyotan’s hand, it grants Kiyotan his Cluster and fourth circuit, Yoshitsune, which uses networking as a weapon. It turns into a winged plum blossom when brought into a neighboring world.
* *Ruby Magatama : Merging with his own, grants Sasuke Marutagi the Vesselization ability.* When brought into a neighboring world, it turns into a winged orchid.
* *Sapphire Magatama :* Enables Gemstone to control the Eris forcibly given to her by Sozo Rakuzaka as her Image ability. He retains this ability even after the Sapphire Magatama is removed from her body when she is neutralized upon regaining her Image/Memory Cassettes and her real Image, Harmonia, she uses Harmonia instead. It turns into a winged bamboo stalk when brought into a neighboring world.

Pearl Magatama :

Discovered by Rassy while hiding from Unix. She perceives the Pearl Magatama located in a's base. Seemingly becoming pregnant when it merges with her, the Magatama's shadow is then seen against her stomach.

When brought into a neighboring world, it turns into a winged daffodil.

### The Masters of the Magatama

Masters are manifestations of spirits protecting the Corpse Parts that sometimes appear in front of the wielders of the Magatama. They either guide the user or test them to see if they deserve to own the Magatama.