The Legend
The tomoe (鞆絵) has been a prominent element in Japanese culture for countless centuries. Throughout its history, it has been closely linked with samurai, family insignias, and the martial arts. The distinctive comma shape of the tomoe has its roots in ancient magatama, which were originally crafted from stones, clay, and eventually precious gems. These comma-shaped artifacts first emerged in ancient Japan around 1,000 BCE to 300 BCE. While initially created for ornamental purposes, they eventually took on a more significant role as objects used in religious ceremonies by the end of this period.
The Pendant
Crafted with utmost care, the TOMOE pendant is painstakingly hand-carved from an exquisite 1.25 x 0.5 inch piece of pale green aquamarine. This gemstone, widely used in traditional Japanese jewelry and art, lends a timeless elegance to the piece.
Like any of our accessories, each pendant is hand-cut at the forge and is completely unique in its coloration and pattern. The TOMOE also comes with a custom bamboo box.
Gem Coloration
Although aquamarine is most commonly associated with a light blue hue, its color can range across hues of pale blue to light green. This is largely determined by the aggregation of different minerals in the stone. While most of our supply is towards the pale green side of coloration, there is a chance for bluer stones to be produced depending on the composition of minerals.
