Yamanashi Kurohira Black Crystal <Yamanashi Prefecture> [Famous Stones of Japan]

Yamanashi Kurobera Black Quatz

Yamanashi Kurohira Black Crystal

Black quartz is mined in Kurodaira, at the foot of Mount Kurofuji, one of Yamanashi's 100 famous mountains.
The type that becomes transparent when light is shone on it and the brown color can be seen is called Cairngorm, and this black quartz belongs to that type.
It is sometimes called "grass-filled black quartz" because it contains needle-like inclusions.
Since ancient times, black quartz has been used by shamans, medicine men, and spiritual mediums to ward off evil spirits, exorcise evil spirits, and purify the body. It is said that black quartz has the greatest power and evil spirits are reluctant to approach this stone.
Kurohira black quartz is rare and currently difficult to obtain.

As a stone that can give off negative ion , Towada stone has attracted attention in modern times. It also has good thermal emission rate and it can release far-infrared rays when it is heated. It also absorbs moisture well and the color of the stone changes according to the amount of moisture absorbed. It is easy in processing since it is soft, but it is also durable.
There is a mythology in Akita prefecture which said Taro Hachiro who was a Mataji (hunter), became a dragon and lived in Towada Lake.
Towada which is surrounded by abundant nature, has many other mythologies, like the story of a white rat which is reincarnation of a god. The reason of this happened maybe because there is mysterious energy in this area.