Goshiki Niren Nenju / Black / 108 Beads

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This prayer bead is made from the fruit of a tree called Seigetsu Bodaiju (星月菩提樹).
As the name suggests, this bead has one depression representing the moon and numerous black spots representing stars, representing the universe. Prayer beads made of linden trees are very sacred and are worn for good luck. The more you use it, the more luster it gets and the more you can enjoy the change of color. Please use them on a daily basis as a good-luck charm.

The number 108 is also said to represent the number of human vexations in Buddhism. It has a meaning of cutting off 108 troubles by chanting sutras or Buddhist prayers while practicing asceticism and counting 108 beads one by one. Some beads have as many as 1080 beads, but basically they consist of 108 beads, or 54 beads (half of 108), 36 beads (one-third), 27 beads (one-quarter), 18 beads (one-sixth), and so on.

*The beads are made to order, and we can make beads that match the size of your arm.
*The size of the beads will vary depending on the thickness of your arm.

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1400 years ago / 600AD / Yamato period in Japan

The Brahmanic scriptures of ancient India, which existed more than 3,500 years ago, contain a description of "renju," and it is widely believed that this is the prototype of prayer beads. In Hinduism, it was used by counting the number of times they prayed using prayer beads, and that this custom was introduced into Buddhism by Buddha. It is said that the practice was introduced to Japan with Buddhism in AD 552. A Buddhist prayer bead basically consists of 108 beads, which represent 108 earthly temptations (Bonnō). The prayer beads are meant to dispel these 108 afflictions.

・Prayer Beads used to be very expensive.
According to a book written in 756, prayer beads were once so valuable that they were recognized as "national treasures".
Therefore, beads at that time were not a commodity that everyone could have, but a rare item used only by a few monks and aristocrats.

・Popularization of prayer beads
In the late Heian period (794-1185) and the Kamakura period (1192-1333), with the spread of Buddhism, the prayer beads became popular among the general public. Unlike Buddhism in the past, which was strongly recognized as something for the state and the aristocracy, the purpose of Buddhist prayer beads from the Kamakura period was to help the general public. In the Edo period (1603-1867), the general public began to buy and sell Buddhist prayer beads. When Buddhism was recognized as the state religion, the demand for prayer beads increased significantly.

They are the most basic amulets to pray for happiness and to protect the living self, and each bead is thought to contain a "sutra". The original form of prayer beads is to be carried around with you always, and they have long been used as a talisman since ancient times.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Masamitsu Kataoka / Nenju Kataoka
Masamitsu Kataoka is the fourth generation of Nenju Kataoka, which has been in business for over 100 years. He is still using foot-pedal wheel (they are the only craftsmen who use this tool in Japan) to make prayer beads made from the nuts of the Seigetsu Bodaiju / Linden (星月菩提樹), which is said to bring "unlimited good fortune". He carries on the techniques and traditions of Nenju (prayer beads) making. 

Craftsman Passion

"The best amulet of your life."
We want our beads to be worn all the time as a good luck charm. For this reason, we must make prayer beads that are beautiful and make you happy to wear them.
We hand-cut each bead one by one with sincerity, and make them day by day so that our customers can use them for a long time.

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

*The beads are made to order, and we can make beads that match the size of your arm.
*The size of the beads will vary depending on the thickness of your arm.

Material & Caution

Materials

Star Moon Bodhi Tree Seed

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Made to Order

Basically, this product is made to order, so it takes about a month from order to delivery. Please note that there may be unavoidable delays in delivery due to material shortages or delays in the production process.