Chokai stone (Akita Prefecture) [Famous Japanese Stones]

CHOKAI Stone

Chokai stone

Mount Chokai, where it is produced, is located on the border between Yamagata and Akita prefectures and is also known as Dewa Fuji.
It was the northernmost point under the Yamato government, and is said to be the home of Omonoimi-no-Kami, as well as Tenagaashinaga, a deity imported from China.
Tenagaashinaga are two monsters, one with long arms and the other with long legs, and while there are shrines dedicated to them as gods of eternal youth and longevity, they are also said to attack people, and there is a legend that when a three-legged bird (the Yatagarasu) finds them, it will warn people.
It was depicted by famous ukiyo-e artists such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi, and Sei Shonagon wrote in her Pillow Book that "a painting of the long-armed, long-legged creature was displayed in the Seiryoden Hall."
It contains quartz and feldspar and is a very interesting stone when observed under a microscope.

Mount Chokai, where Chokai stone is found, is on the border between Yamagata and Akita prefectures and is also known as Dewa Fuji. It was the most northern point under the Yamato government, where Omonoimi-no-kami is enshrined, and it is said that Tenagaashinaga, a Chinese deity, also lives there. Tenagaashinaga are a pair of monsters, one with long arms and the other with long legs. While there are shrines dedicated to them as deities of eternal youth and longevity, they are also said would attack people. There is also a legend said that if a three-legged crow (Yatagarasu) spots them, it will warn people. Famous ukiyo-e artists such as Utagawa Kuniyoshi have depicted them, and Sei Shonagon wrote in The Pillow Book that "a picture of Tenagaashinaga was hung in Seiryoden." Chokai Stone contains quartz and feldspar, and it is a very interesting stone when observed under a microscope.