Izumo Jasper (Shimane Prefecture) [Famous Stones of Japan]

IZUMO Jasper

Izumo jasper

Izumo appears in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.
The Yasakani no Magatama, one of the three sacred treasures, is said to be made of Izumo jade.
Although the Yasakani no Magatama still exists, no one, past or present, has ever seen it, including the Imperial family, and no written documentation remains.
The character "kei" in Yasakani no Magatama means "red," and it is said that it may be made of red jasper.
In Nara, where the Yamato dynasty is said to have existed, many pieces of Izumo jasper have been excavated from ruins from the Kofun period.
There are several sources of jasper in Japan, but the fact that it has been owned as a symbol of power since ancient times suggests that it has been of such high quality.

Izumo appears in the Records of Ancient Matters and The Chronicles of Japan. The Yasakani no Magatama, one of the Three Sacred Treasures, is said to be made from Izumo jade. Even the Yasakani no Magatama still exists, no one, past or present, including the emperor family, has ever seen it, and no documents remain. The character “瓊” in Yasakani no Magatama means “red,” so it is thought that it may be made from red jasper. In Nara, where the Yamato royal authority is said to have existed, many Izumo jasper pieces have been excavated from ruins from the Kofun period. There are several areas in Japan where jasper is produced, but the fact that it has been owned as a symbol of trees since ancient times suggests that it has a high quality.