The purpose of this paper is to clarify the use and social meanings of the small-scale imitation bronze mirrors (小形仿製銅鏡) excavated mainly in the Yeongnam (嶺南) and Kyushu (九州) regions during the Proto-Three Kingdoms and Yayoi (弥生) periods. Interpretation of the small-scale imitation bronze mirrors has focused on the custom of using copper mirrors in regional societies, based on the excavation, distribution, and genealogy of the mirrors. As a result, the examples of Yeongnam, which are relatively small in number, were found to have been mostly imported from Kyushu, based on their distribution; they have generally been interpreted from the Japanese point of view, and therefore do not fully reflect the social aspects of the Korean Peninsula. Based on this awareness of the problem, an attempt was made to approach the use and social meanings of the small-scale imitation bronze mirrors of each region by analyzing the morphological characteristics and the burial contexts. In terms of the morphological characteristics, this study focused on patterns. It is proposed that the patterns engraved on the back of the mirrors reveal the individuality or identity of the group that produced or used the object. Accordingly, in examining distribution by region and the pattern of change, it was found that the bracken pattern (蕨手文) mirrors were concentrated in the Yeongnam region and linked-arc design (連弧文) mirrors in Kyushu. When classifying according to the number of excavated bronze mirror and types at sites, small-scale imitation bronze mirrors were found in association with Chinese bronze mirror (漢鏡) in Korea, but thoroughly distinguished in Japan. This difference would have contributed to the perception of the small-scale imitation bronze mirrors in each region. Small-scale imitation bronze mirrors had been produced with Chinese bronze mirrors as a motif, albeit simplified and miniaturized compared to the Chinese bronze mirrors; the patterns were also simplified compared to the original mirrors (原鏡). Considering other cases of miniaturization, it is presumed that this change was associated with the objects losing practicality in the manufacturing process, thereby becoming funerary object (明器). In particular, considering the consumption of ‘prestige goods (威勢品)’ in society at the time, and based on the patterns of burials in excavated tombs, it could be confirmed that smallscale imitation bronze mirrors were used for traditional mirror burial customs in Korea, but were used as replacements for Chinese bronze mirrors in Japan.