Gold-bearing muscovite-potassium feldspar pegmatite ore from the Tamayama gold deposit
    The Tamayama gold deposit occurs in the Hikami granitic rocks (440 Ma), which is one of the older granites in Japan, situated in the northern part of the Rikuzentakata City, Iwate Prefecture. The pegmatitic ore is characterized by coarse-grained minerals, consisting of gray quartz, black or pale green muscovite, and pale pink potassium feldspar. Mining of the Tamayama deposit is reported that it began in the 9th century and was most active in the Middle Ages. The produced gold is said to be utilized for decorating golden hall of Chusonji temple calledgKonjikidoh, which also represents the flourishing Buddhist culture at remote northern part of Japan, ruled by the Fujiwara family in the 12th century. Width of photo: 3 cm.
                                                         (Hiroyasu Murakami and Shunso Ishihara)