Tsugaru Nishikihi Stone (Aomori Prefecture) [Famous Stones of Japan]

TUGARU Brocase Red stone

Tsugaru Nishiki Scarlet Stone

Nishiki stone is a colorful, patterned stone found in Aomori Prefecture that contains two or more colors, and is a generic name that reflects this characteristic.
The area where it is produced is wide and there are many different types.
Its beauty, which touches people's hearts and gives a sense of freedom, was officially recognized as a traditional craft of Aomori Prefecture in 1996.
They are made from various minerals such as jasper, chalcedony, and agate, and the colors and patterns vary depending on the minerals they contain, so it is not easy to find the same piece.
They are collected and washed up on rivers and beaches as boulders.
Tsugaru Nishiki stone dating back approximately 4,000 to 5,500 years ago has been excavated from Jomon period ruins, along with ornaments such as magatama.
During the Edo period, it was also popularly used for hairpins and obi clasps, and the techniques for processing Nishikiseki were passed on to Yamanashi Prefecture, where it is said to have laid the foundation for technological innovation in Yamanashi crystal processing.

Brocade stone is a colorful and patterned stone from Aomori Prefecture. It also contains two or more colors. The production area is wide and it contains a variety of categories. The beauty that touches human heart and makes people feel freedom makes brocade stone officially recognized as a traditional craft of Aomori Prefecture in 1996.
Like other various minerals such as jasper, chalcedony, agate, etc. The color and pattern of the stone is based on the mineral that it contains. Therefore it is hard to find two stones that have exactly the same color. We harvest the stone as cobblestones which come on rivers and shores.
Brocade stones that existed from 4,000-5,500 years ago was discovered from Jomon period ruins and ornaments such as jewels have been excavated. In the Edo period, brocade stone was also used as a hairpin and obi strap. The processing technology of brocade stone was passed to Yamanashi Prefecture and it is said that the foundation of technological innovation of Yamanashi crystal processing was cultivated.