Yamagata Agate (Yamagata Prefecture) [Famous Stones of Japan]

YAMAGATA Agate

Yamagata agate

Yamagata is home to the Dewa Sanzan mountains, which have been a center of mountain worship since ancient times, and Yamagata's chalcedony and agate are produced in a wide area of ​​the Dewa Sanzan Asahi mountain range, including Mt. Gassan, and come in a variety of different shapes.
Generally, transparent stones are called chalcedony, and striped stones are called agate, but the crystal structure and composition are the same.
The area is home to the clear Sagae River and Bandai-Asahi National Park, and is surrounded by majestic and elegant nature.
Even today, artisans make accessories using the chalcedony and agate that are mined here.
At the summit of Mt. Gassan, Amaterasu Omikami and Tsukuyomi, the brother of Susanoo, are enshrined, and since the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, it is said that Amida Buddha resides there.

Yamagata has the Dewa Three Mountains, which have been worshiped since ancient times, and Yamagata, Dewa Three Mountains, and Asahi Mountain cordillera produce a variety of stones with different appearances. Generally, transparent stones are called chalcedony and striped stones are called agate, but the crystal structure and composition are the same. The clear Sagae River flows through the area, and the Bandai Asahi National Park is an area of ​​majestic and elegant nature. Even today, artisans make accessories from the chalcedony and agate produced here. At the peak of Mount Gassan, Amaterasu Omikami and Tsukuyomi, brother of Susanoo, are enshrined, and since the syncretism of Shinto and Buddhism, it has been said that Amida Nyorai resides there.