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Japanese Edo Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Beads Mala Rosary Necklace

$1,595
£1,210.64
€1,414.70
CA$2,223.04
A$2,506.11
CHF 1,328.32
MX$30,896.62
NOK 16,147.34
SEK 15,520.16
DKK 10,551.27
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About the Item

A very special antique collection - this long strand of Japanese hand-crafted natural wooden (perhaps Rosewood) Buddhist Juzu mala beads with customary larger "Guru" beads. These rosary-type prayer bead necklaces were often used by Buddhist monks in temple rituals and worn by Samurai as amulets of protection. This particular piece features a wonderful, naturally organic patina acquired over years of handling and use. Likely originates from the late Edo period (1603-1868) or early Mejia Period (1868-1912). This juzu bead necklace is composed of many beads called Hyakumanben-nenju (literally, one hundred times of nenju). It comes with the original wood storage box and counting tablet box with various painted numbers on them (1,000, 10,000, 100,000,...). All original pieces. The prayer tally tablets, were used to keep track of how many times the sutra had been chanted up to one million times. Hyakumanben is one of the Nembutsu-ko, a religious event in which people chant the Nembutsu while rolling a large prayer bead such as this one. The Buddhist prayer is often "Namu amidabutsu" for the Pure Land sect and shingon or wasan for the Esoteric Buddhism sect, and drums and gongs are used to lead the chanting. At Tenbe, the nembutsu is chanted while the gong is struck, and the number of times the prayer beads are turned is counted with a wooden tag. This rare set showcases the spiritual culture of Japanese Pure Land and Nichiren Buddhism and would clearly make a great addition to any Japanese art or Buddhist artifact or religious relic collection or make for an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting when displayed. Original wood storage box dimensions: 5.25" High, 9" Wide, 7.5" Deep Juzu bead necklace is approximately 4o inches long.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 5.25 in (13.34 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
  • Style:
    Edo (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Mid to Later 19th Century
  • Condition:
    Both the beads and tally cards are in very good vintage condition with light organic wear. The wood storage box has natural wear, as would be expected, consistent with age and use (please see photos). Special and engaging overall.
  • Seller Location:
    Studio City, CA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2254345498142

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