japanese culture and the tigers eye

[evedawn]

Okay so it's an odd question but...

Does anyone know if the semi precious stone called tigers eye (a rich brown and goldish hue) might be offensive to the japanese culture?

My husband wishes to give a gift made of tigers eye to a colleague who is very traditional japanese and doesn't want to offend accidentally.

ta

[China Doll]

I just looked it up in my little apache tears book and it's supposed to bring wealth, good luck and protection so I can't see why it would.

It doesn't say anything about it having any offensive or bad meanings.

[jno]

sounds like an excellent gift

http://wickedstones.com/tigers_eye.htm

[cherrycherry]

My Japanese husband used to adore Tiger's Eye things, so I cannot see why it wouldn't be acceptable; however I know that there are so many traditions in Japan that it is difficult to please at times, coming from a Western perspective
.
I believe it used to be unlucky to give a gift made from four parts, as the number four can symbolise death in Japan, but I don't think things like that are strictly adhered to nowadays.
I made a big faux-pas of giving a clock to my sister-in-law when she got married - it is a symbol of time passing (hence death) in Japan. But my sister-in-law understood that it was not to be taken personally (so my husband said).
I'm pretty sure that Tiger's Eye is ok, though. Good luck!

[evedawn]

thank you all - ps my hub gave the gift to his colleague today and the japanese man loved it!!