Introduction
Welcome to Greenstone, a shrine to the star-crossed love between Osaka Naru and Nephrite in Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon.
Nephrite, you may know, is the name of a type of jade, plentiful here in New Zealand, and locally known as greenstone - hence the title of the shrine.
This bittersweet story takes place in the first season of the immensely popular shoujo anime. No equivalent for it exists in the original manga by Takeuchi Naoko. In fact, the manga versions of Naru and Nephrite never meet.
I first knew of the lovers as Molly and Neflyte, because I discovered their story through DiC's North American adaptation, Sailor Moon. Even DiC's often heavy-handed editing and censorship hardly detracted from the emotional impact of their tragedy. (Although Molly's Brooklyn accent certainly didn't help.)
Since that time, I've been fascinated by this particular subplot (you have no idea how weirded out I was to find nothing about it in the manga) and this shrine is the eventual result of my meditation upon it. Yeah, I'm obsessive. *^.^* It helps with this sort of thing.
Greenstone factoid: the world's largest nephrite structure is a war memorial at the Army Museum in Waiouru, New Zealand, one of the most bleak and godforsaken places I've ever visited. (Sorry to any Waiourans reading this.) The memorial is a wall of greenstone blocks curtained by an artificial waterfall; I believe it's called Roimata Pounamu, meaning 'tears on greenstone.' Appropriately tragic, ne?
I just keep learning or remembering things about greenstone that I want to share. It was named that by Captain James Cook, who mapped New Zealand in the late 18th Century - pounamu, of course, was its name among the native Maori. And - this is interesting and even semi-relevant - items made of greenstone are believed to absorb the energy or essence of their owner or wearer, and feed it back to him or her, amplified and intensified. Greenstone is stronger than most steels, which is why it was used to make some pretty scary weapons as well as beautiful pendants and earrings. Isn't it wonderful what you can pick up reading the cards in the jewellery case at the Auckland Museum shop? Traditionally, you are not supposed to buy a greenstone item for yourself - it should be a gift from someone who loves you. Also, the entire South Island of New Zealand's Maori name is Te Wai Pounamu - the water where Pounamu (the mythological personification of greenstone, who was originally a star) dwelt. I hereby claim Nephrite as an honorary New Zealander! *^.^*
Please explore the shrine, and feel free to email me with comments, questions, corrections, additions and flowery compliments. *^.^* Or sign the guestbook - I love it when people sign the guestbook.
- Déesse, Auckland, 2001 AD
Greenstone is © 2001, by La Déesse. Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon is © 1992 by Takeuchi Naoko. La Déesse is simply a fan who does not want to get sued.