Yasakani no Magatama is a powerful and eye-catching technique of Admiral Borsalino, widely known as Kizaru, from the One Piece series. This ability is based on Pika Pika no Mi, also known as the Glint-Glint Fruit, which user allows one to create, control, and transform into light freely. The name of this technique has deep cultural and historical meaning, driven by Japanese mythology and objects dating back from ancient times.
"Yasakani no Magatama" is what refers to the bejeweled necklace that corresponds with one of the three Imperial Regalia of Japan. Of course, One Piece specifies "yasakani," an archaic term for "a large jewel," but the full name would translate to something like "a string of jewels." Since Japanese cultural artifacts associate with Kizaru's character and his abilities, it goes deeper and deeper, much like Eiichiro Oda, author of One Piece, is known to do: derive from mythologies in the real world into his own.
In reality, the Yasakani no Magatama includes Kizaru creating a lot of light particles that resemble a shower of sparkling jewels. These are shot at opponents to create an overwhelming and destructive barrage. The way in which this technique is really visually represented in the anime makes it all the more magnificent, often displayed as a storm of great, golden light raining down upon Kizaru's targets.
Yasakani no Magatama is the second technique in Kizaru's set of "Three Sacred Treasures," each one named after an element of the Imperial Regalia of Japan. This attack includes the Sacred Yata Mirror and Ame no Murakumo to create some of the strongest abilities at the admiral's disposal.
The question in the minds of One Piece fans is: just how destructive Yasakani no Magatama can be. Sure enough, many claim that a technique at full power would crush even some of the highest-tier characters in the series, likely pulverizing those below the caliber of a Yonko Commander. This speculation underlines a perceived power gap between admirals like Kizaru and other powerful fighters within the One Piece world.
Kizaru has used Yasakani no Magatama several times in extremely critical fights throughout the series. Among them is the Sabaody Archipelago arc, where he finally unleashed the power that only an admiral could wield against the Supernovas. More recently, it made an appearance in Manga Chapter 1093, sealing further its place in Kizaru's arsenal and relevance in major conflicts.
That flexibility is one of Yasakani no Magatama's stronger points. While some of Kizaru's techniques, such as those focused on speed or precision, would focus on a single target, this gives ground for an area attack that can overwhelm several enemies at once. Enemies have limited avenues of evasion against so many light particles created, and the intensity of each "jewel" guarantees some level of damage upon impact.
In the greater scheme of things concerning the power systems of One Piece, Yasakani no Magatama gives an example of the higher levels one could reach with a Devil Fruit. It details how a Logia kind fruit user may ingeniously manipulate and use their element in an extremely destructive way, beyond simple transformation or attacks by elemental attack. This control and power show just how skilled and experienced Kizaru must be as a Marine Admiral.
As a famous technique among the fans, Yasakani no Magatama has been adapted in different One Piece video games and other media. Most of the time in this adaptation, this technique will be translated as a powerful special move or an ultimate attack so players can feel the rush of firing Kizaru's devastating light barrage.
Worth noting, however, is the fact that despite Yasakani no Magatama's unrivaled power, there are still a number of limitations as to it. Being a Devil Fruit ability by itself leaves it countered by all users of the rare Haki skills or other characters whose powers complement it. There goes setting up a balance that keeps battles in One Piece at depth: even the strongest techniques have potential counters.