Tide jewels
In its own language: 潮干る珠 (Shiohiru-tama) and 潮満つ珠 (Shiomitsu-tama)
from shio (tide) and tama (jewel), with variants meaning ebb and flow
Two magical gems from Japanese mythology that control the tides to drown or save enemies.
The tide jewels are a pair of enchanted stones in Japanese myth given by the Sea God to his son-in-law Hoori. One gem raises the water to flood foes, while the other lowers it to restore calm. They appear in ancient texts like the Kojiki and Nihongi as tools for controlling the sea.
- Shiohiru-tama lowers the tide to save lives
- Shiomitsu-tama raises the tide to drown foes
- Given by the Sea God to Hoori
- Featured in the Kojiki and Nihongi texts
- Used to force brother Hoderi into submission
What it is
The tide jewels are two magical gems from Japanese mythology used to command the ocean. The first is called Shiohiru-tama, which means ebb gem, and the second is Shiomitsu-tama, meaning flow gem. These items were presented by the Sea Deity to his grandson Hoori. They allow the holder to raise the water level to drown enemies or lower it to save them. The jewels serve as instruments of power over the sea and its creatures.
Where it comes from
The earliest records of these gems appear in the Kojiki and Nihongi, compiled around the eighth century. The myth states that the Sea God gave the jewels to Hoori after he married the god's daughter. Later traditions linked the jewels to the Dragon King Ryūjin and his underwater palace. Some accounts also connect them to Empress Jingū and her legendary campaigns.
How it is done
Hoori uses the jewels to influence his brother Hoderi. He throws a cursed fishhook at him first. If Hoderi becomes angry, Hoori displays the flow jewel to raise the tide and nearly drown him. When Hoderi begs for mercy, Hoori shows the ebb jewel to calm the waters. This cycle forces Hoderi into submission.
Tools and materials
The primary tools are the two gems themselves. They are often mentioned alongside a special fishhook found at the bottom of the sea. The gems are small enough to be held or thrown. They function through direct will, requiring the user to present them to trigger the tidal change.
Tide jewels, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Japanese mythology
What it is for
The jewels are used to enforce dominance and ensure loyalty. Hoori employs them to punish his disrespectful brother and compel him to serve. They represent absolute control over natural forces. The ability to create or remove danger makes them potent symbols of authority in the myth.
Who does it
In the stories, only divine or semi-divine figures wield the jewels. Hoori receives them directly from the Sea God. Scholars study these texts to understand early Japanese beliefs about nature spirits and royal legitimacy. No living practitioners use these specific mythical items today.
Peoples and places
These legends belong to Japan. The Kojiki and Nihongi are foundational historical texts for the culture. The myths explain relationships between land and sea deities. Different versions of the story exist, but all center on Japanese imperial ancestry and divine intervention.
At a glance: who, where and when
Peoples
What people believe
The gems reflect a worldview where humans can negotiate with powerful nature spirits. The Sea God acts as a patron who grants magical aid. The jewels symbolize the unpredictable power of the ocean. Controlling the tide represents mastering chaos and securing order through divine favor.
When it is done
They appear within narrative timelines of mythic history rather than seasonal rituals. Their use is tied to specific conflicts between brothers rather than annual cycles.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Researchers view the tide jewels as literary devices in ancient chronicles. They analyze how the gems support claims of divine right for the Japanese imperial line. Anthropologists note the theme of human-animal transformation in the surrounding myths involving dragons and sharks.
Cautions and what is closed
The jewels are fictional objects from folklore. There are no real-world risks associated with them. Modern readers treat them as part of cultural heritage and literature. They hold no practical magical power in contemporary society.
Compare and confuse
The tide jewels resemble other magical artifacts in world mythology that control elements. They differ from amulets worn for protection, as they are active weapons. Similar concepts appear in stories of sea kings who command waves across various cultures.
Questions people ask about Tide jewels
What are the tide jewels?
They are two magical gems from Japanese mythology known as Shiohiru-tama and Shiomitsu-tama. One controls the ebbing tide and the other the flowing tide, allowing the holder to manipulate the sea.
Where do the tide jewels come from?
According to myth, the Sea God gave them to his grandson Hoori. They are recorded in ancient Japanese texts like the Kojiki and Nihongi as gifts from the underwater realm.
How are the tide jewels used?
Hoori uses them against his brother Hoderi. He raises the water to threaten drowning when Hoderi is angry, then lowers it to show mercy when Hoderi pleads for his life.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Tide jewels", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
More from Japan
All the entries from Japan
🇯🇵 JapanOfudaお札/御札 (ofuda)
Paper and wooden talismans from Japanese Shinto shrines and Buddhist templesCharm · Protection · Cleansing and purification Living
🇯🇵 JapanOmamori御守/お守り
Japanese amulets from shrines and temples for luck and protectionCharm · Protection · Luck and prosperity Living
🇨🇳 China and 1 moreFulu符籙
Taoist talismans with cryptic symbols used for healing and protectionCharm · Healing · Protection Living
🇨🇳 China and 5 moreChinese guardian lions石獅 (shíshī)
Stone lion pairs placed at entrances to ward off harm and welcome fortuneCharm · Protection · Luck and prosperity Living
Related elsewhere
All charm
🇿🇦 South AfricaSympathetic magic
A magical principle based on imitation and contact to influence the worldTradition · Protection · Healing Historical
🇮🇸 Iceland and 2 moreSeiðr
A Norse magic of fate and spirit, practiced by seers and sorcerers in the Viking Age.Tradition · Seeing and foretelling · Cursing and harm Revived
🇮🇳 India and 4 moreTantraतन्त्र
An esoteric yogic tradition from India focusing on ritual, mantra, and body-based spiritual practices.Tradition · Power and authority · Change and initiation Living
🇿🇦 South Africa and 5 moreMurder for body parts
The killing of people to harvest body parts for traditional medicine or the illegal organ trade.Belief · Cursing and harm · Power and authority Living