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Yomiuri Shimbun
5 days ago
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
New Mineral Amaterasuite Named After Japanese Goddess; Dark Green Stone Includes Strontium, Titanium, Chlorine
A collaborative research team of scientists from the University of Tokyo, Yamaguchi University and other institutions has discovered a previously unknown blackish-green mineral in a jadeitite specimen from Okayama Prefecture. The team announced on Aug. 7 that the mineral was named Amaterasuite, after Amaterasu Omikami, the sun goddess in Japanese mythology. The new mineral is expected to contribute to studying a previously unknown jadeitite formation process. Small amounts of the new mineral were found in a jadeitite collected around Mt. Osa in Niimi, Okayama Prefecture, according to the research team. The team analyzed the mineral's elements and structure at facilities such as SPring-8, a synchrotron radiation facility operated by Riken, a national research and development agency. They found that the mineral consists of strontium, titanium and chlorine, possessing a unique structure previously unseen in other minerals. The International Mineralogical Association has officially recognized Amaterasuite as a new mineral. These findings were published in the Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences' academic journal. Jadeite has been treasured in Japan since ancient times and is sometimes called the 'Jewel of the Orient.' In 2016, the association selected jadeite as Japan's national stone, symbolizing the nation's stone culture. The mineral forms where tectonic plates subduct. However, the exact process of its formation is not fully understood. 'By examining the elements and morphology of the new mineral, we can gain clues about how it transformed in a subduction zone where tectonic plates sink,' said Tohoku University Prof. Tatsuki Tsujimori, who specializes in geology and petrology.
Tokyo Weekender
6 days ago
- Science
- Tokyo Weekender
New Mineral Discovered in Japan Named After Sun Goddess Amaterasu
Scientists in Japan have uncovered a new mineral hidden inside jadeite, the country's nationally designated stone. Named Amaterasuite after the sun goddess Amaterasu in Shinto mythology, the discovery was made by a joint team from the University of Tokyo, Yamaguchi University, Kyoto University, the Japan Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute, Rigaku Corporation and two amateur mineral collectors. The specimen came from jade deposits in the Osayama mountain area of Okayama Prefecture — a site not usually associated with rare mineral finds. A photo of Jadeite Hidden Within a Gem Amaterasuite is unlike any mineral previously documented. Its chemical formula combines strontium, titanium, silicon, oxygen, hydrogen and chlorine in a unique ratio, suggesting the presence of geological processes previously unknown to science. The mineral was found within jade, which is primarily made of jadeite. Jadeite forms under intense pressures in subduction zones, where tectonic plates collide and descend into the Earth's mantle. These extreme conditions not only produce jade's distinctive toughness and beauty but also make it a geological archive of the Earth's tectonic history. Jade — called hisui in Japanese — also holds special cultural status in Japan, having been used for tools, ornaments and ceremonial items for thousands of years. Its significance led to jade being named the country's national stone in 2016 by the Japan Association of Mineralogical Sciences. While other new minerals have been found in jade from Niigata Prefecture's Itoigawa region, Amaterasuite marks the first discovery of its kind in deposits found in Okayama Prefecture. Amaterasu: The Sun Goddess The mineral's name pays tribute to Amaterasu, the sun goddess and one of the most revered deities in Japanese mythology . She is a central figure in the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki , Japan's oldest historical chronicles, and is believed to be the mythical ancestor of Japan's imperial family. As ruler of the heavens, Amaterasu embodies light, order and renewal. One of her most famous legends recounts how, after a quarrel with her storm god brother Susanoo no Mikoto, Amaterasu hid inside a cave, plunging the world into darkness. The other gods lured her out through a raucous celebration, restoring sunlight to the land. This myth is often interpreted as a symbol of rebirth and the return of hope. Discover Tokyo, Every Week Get the city's best stories, under-the-radar spots and exclusive invites delivered straight to your inbox. By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy . Related Posts Japanese Mythology: The Shinto Creation Myth The Real-Life Locations Behind 3 Iconic Japanese Myths Japanese Scientists Develop Artificial Blood Compatible With All Blood Types
