Jeweled Branch of Hōrai

The Jeweled Branch of Hōrai (蓬（ほう）莱（らい）の玉（たま）枝（えだ）, "Hōrai no tama no shi") is a branch made entirely of gemstones and is allegedly from the legendary Hōraijima. However, in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter, it was a fake manufactured at great expense by a ranking official of the imperial court, as a gift for. It was enshrined along with the Mirror of Life in the cave of the Shrine of the Mirror of Life inside the Forest of Illusion. It signifies the element wood, even though it is made up of minerals. On Kaguya's seal, it is represented by the color green.

Verse

The Jewelled Branch of Hōrai was cast in Lake Shōji with the verse:

• English
• Nihongo
• Rōmaji

I ventured to see if what I had heard was true, with this jeweled branch with leaves so real. T'was nothing more than an empty promise.

まことかと聞きて見つれば言の葉を飾れる玉の枝にぞありける

Makoto ka to kikite mitsureba kotonoha o kazareru tama no eda ni zo arikeru

Trivia

• The Jewelled Branch of Hōrai is based on the one in The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter (竹取物語, "Taketori Monogatari").
• Hōrai is further explored in InuYasha the Movie 4: Fire on the Mystic Island.

References

InuYasha the Movie 2: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass Locations: Mount Fuji  •  Dream Castle  •  Forest of Illusion (Shrine of the Mirror of Life) Five Lakes of Mount Fuji: Lake Kawaguchi  •  Lake Motosu  •  Lake Sai  •  Lake Shōji  •  Lake Yamanaka Princess Kaguya Allies: Kagura (formerly)  •  Kanna (formerly)  •  Orochi Enemies: Miyatsu  •  Naraku  •  Inuyasha  •  Kagome Higurashi  •  Miroku  •  Sango  •  Shippō  •  Kirara  •  Akitoki Hōjō  •  Kohaku Equipment: Celestial Robe  •  Mirror of Life Five Items: Jeweled Branch of Hōrai  •  Swallow's Cowrie Shell  •  Jewel of the Dragon's Neck  •  Stone Begging Bowl of Buddha  •  Robe of the Fire-Rat