Mount Fuji Lava

misty rain a day with Mount Fuji unseen: so enchanting. Matsuo Bashō (1644–1694) Above: The card included with this specimen features Katsushika Hokusai's "Storm below Mount Fuji" (Sanka no haku u, 冨嶽三十六景　山下白雨), from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji (Fugaku sanjūrokkei) c. 1830  At 3,776 meters, Mount Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan. Yet, the modern Mount Fuji is actually three volcanoes in one: Komitake, Ko-Fuji, and Shin-Fuji. Over the course of the last several hundred thousand years, each volcano formed out of the remains of the last with Shin-Fuji becoming active roughly 10,000 years ago. This specimen is part of a massive eruption which occurred in 864 AD. Lava poured from Mount Fuji and filled part of ancient Lake Senoumi, creating Lake Sai, Lake Shōji, and Lake Motosu. Pictured above, the fertile land left behind became the Aokigahara Jukai or “Sea of Trees”. This tranquil region also has the unfortunate distinction of being known as the Suicide Forest. Above: 日本語: 天子山地の竜ヶ岳から望む御坂山地と青木ヶ原、右中央に西湖 English: Aokigahara, Misaka Mountains and Lake Sai seen from Mount Ryu of Tenshi Mountains, Japan. (Source: http://bit.ly/1P7yXJk) The specimen was acquired from a local, family-owned stone quarry by a friend of Hans' who owns a cafe and bed and breakfast just outside the Aokigahara with spectacular views of the mountain. For five generations, this family has produced sculptures for Buddhist and Shinto Shrines around Mount Fuji.  Above: The view from Earth Embassy Solar Cafe and Organic Farm As pictured, the specimen is housed in a glass-topped riker display box measuring 4x3x1 (inches). A small information card is included. Please Note: Each specimen is unique, so size and shape will vary.  Above: Macro Image - Samples of Mount Fuji Lava, representative of the size and shape. These two fragments are roughly 19mm long (0.75")