The Shikon no Tama

The Shikon no Tama [also known as the "Jewel of Four Souls"] is a sacred jewel that has been around for centuries. Because it is of great importance to the InuYasha series, I decided to make a section dedicated to explaining it. The jewel does have quite a history. The Shikon no Tama's origins begin centuries before the series' beginnings. The jewel was created during the battle between the powerful priestess Midoriko, and a horde of youkai that had formed together using the impure heart of a human who had lusted after the priestess. The youkai had come to destroy her for her spiritual powers were so great, she was able to purify 10 youkai at once. The battle lasted for seven days and seven nights, until Midoriko realized she would be unable to fight the youkai off much longer. As she was drawn into the creature's jaw, Midoriko seized the youkai's spirit and bound it within her own, killing both of them in the process. The Shikon no Tama was created by the binding of thier souls, which burst from Midoriko's chest. Inside the jewel, the souls of both Midoriko and the youkai continue to battle.

The jewel was controlled by various beings until being found by the youkai taiji-ya, whom entrusted it to Kikyou. Due to her purification powers, she was able to keep the jewel pure and good. However, this ultimatly leads to her destruction. While InuYasha continues to seek the jewel, Kikoyu could not bring herself to destroy him like the others who coveted the jewel. She believed them ti be the same, isolated from their kind. Eventually, the two fell in love and Kikyou told InuYasha he could use the jewel to become human, and that it would be purified and vanish, leaving her to become an ordinary woman. He agreed, yet on the day they had agreed to meet, InuYasha was not present. While she left to find him, Kikyou was attacked by Naraku, who disguised himself as InuYasha. Fatally wounded, Kikyou limped back to her village only to find the true InuYasha attacking the village and escaping with jewel for he had also been tricked by Naraku.

Drawing on the last of her strength, Kikyou fired a fujin no ya [sealing arrow] at him, and sealed InuYasha to the Goshinboku tree. She collapsed soon after, and instruced her younger sister to burn the Shikon no Tama with her body so that no one can exploit its powers. The jewel remained hidden until finally resurfacing 500 years later when Kagome, the reincarnation of Kikyou, enters the past through the "Bone Eater's Well".