Origin and history of Iyo Blue Stone
Iyo Blue Stone is a beautiful stone produced mainly in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, and has been extensively quarried in the area surrounding Mt. Ishizuchi in particular.
The history of Iyo Blue Stone dates back approximately 200 million years to the Middle Jurassic period. Sediment that accumulated on the seabed was pushed underground by tectonic movements and underwent metamorphism under extreme conditions, transforming into a hard and beautiful stone. It has since come to us as Iyo Blue Stone.
The formation of Iyo Blue Stone is the history of the Earth itself—a precious material delivered to our hands across vast stretches of time. At Atelier ao, we hold deep respect for the time and power of nature that dwell within each stone, and we wish to bring the charm of Iyo Blue Stone—nurtured in Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture—into modern life.
Characteristics and appeal of Iyo Blue Stone
What sets Iyo Blue Stone apart is its rare blue-green hue and distinctive striped pattern, both of which are exceptionally uncommon worldwide. Thanks to its visual beauty and durability, it has been used in Japanese gardens and architecture since ancient times. In nature, it gradually becomes moss-covered and develops deeper striped tones when exposed to rain and wind—offering a pleasure that only deepens with the passage of time.
Cultural background of Iyo Blue Stone
Beyond its beauty as a stone material, Iyo Blue Stone has strong ties to Japanese history and culture, and is closely linked to Japan's ancient beliefs and philosophies.
Quarried from the sacred Mt. Ishizuchi, Iyo Blue Stone is believed to carry the pure and divine energy of the mountain, and can be found at many Buddhist and Shinto sacred sites. Far more than a garden stone or building material, it is a special material where the sculptural beauty of nature and Japan's spiritual culture converge—attracting significant cultural attention.
