Japanese prayer beads maker
Yasuda-Nenju Since 1683

Japan. Tax-free Shop

安田念珠店 official web site

Introduction

  1. Toppage
  2. Introduction
  3. FAQ

FAQ

> What is Nenju (Juzu) ?

> Can a tassel color be changed?

> Is there any prayer beads congratulations or condolences?

> Does tassel's color change with areas?

> Is the number of beads of the prayer beads decided?

> Is prayer beads the necessary item for a bride?

> Can we buy prayer beads any time of the year?

> Is there any common prayer beads for men & women?

> Is the color of a tassel related according to age?

> I've been told that I am not supposed to buy a prayer beads for my own use. Is this true?

> What is a formal prayer beads?

> Can I use a bracelet for a funeral?

> Can I give someone a prayer beads as a gift?

> How do I take care of a prayer beads?

> Does the tassel color vary according to the sect?

> Does the tassel shape mean anything?

> How glasses are different from crystals?

> Is a prayer beads with lens high-cuality goods?

> If the strings got snapped, beads got damaged or went beyond repair, what should I do?
   I got a feeling that I might incur divine punishment if I throw them away.

> I'm confused that some Kankin prayer beads that are used among Zen sect has a metal ring
   in them, but some don't

> I'd like to know which bead means a talisman to keep off evil spirits, a protective charm
   and a good-luck charm?

> How do I take care of prayer beads?

> I don't know the value of prayer beads which was past down from my parents. What can I do?

> I am married to a man of different religious sect. It is said that Nichiren believers must
   use their exclusive prayer beads but which them should I take when I go back to
   my parents' home? Nichiren prayer beads or others'? And if I have Nichiren sect
   prayer beads can I use it for other sect's

> Do I get divine help from cheap prayer beads?

> I've never seen prayer beads used in Shinto. Don't they ever use prayer beads?

> I am a man, but my hands are small. Can I use nenju for women?

> I always wear a few breacelets on me. Is this sometihg strange?

> I have two prayer beads. One is single and the other is double, but I don't know the difference.

What is Nenju (Juzu) ?

    "Nenju" means prayer beads in Japanese. They are not only hand-held small object for funeral but also a protective charm against evil spirits.

    "Juzu" is a synonym for Nenju and literal translation of "Count Ball". It originally used to be tool to count numbers but nowadays only the name is remained among Japanese people.

▲pagetop

Can a tassel color be changed?

    Woman can change colors according to their ages, but men usually use a single brownish color for a life-time use.

▲pagetop

Is there any prayer beads congratulations or condolences?

    Nothing in particular by the color but for the wedding occasion that is held according to Buddhist rites, there is a ceremony to exchange the prayer beads and prefer to blight color prayer beads such red or pink in the case for women.

▲pagetop

Does tassel's color change with areas?

    In Tokai District or Hokuriku District, white tassels with colorless beads are used (Crystal or white coral) in funeral, and when the Buddhist memorial service colored tassels (with colored beads) are used. In other district there isn't any rules in its use.

▲pagetop

Is the number of beads of the prayer beads decided?

    The number of beads of formal prayer beads is decided as 108, but simplified prayer beads are just decided with the same size.

▲pagetop

Is prayer beads the necessary item for a bride?

    It is more desirable for her to bring formal prayer beads of a sect that is a woman's in-laws, but in every sect (except Nichiren sect) simplified prayerbeads is acceptable, It is necessary thing when you pay your respect to your husband's ancestors.

▲pagetop

Can we buy prayer beads any time of the year?

    Yes, you can. Prayer beads also have a meaning of good luck, therefore you can buy it and use it in your everyday life.

▲pagetop

Is there any common prayer beads for men & women?

    No there isn't. Women's prayer beads have a different size and colors from men's. Less than 8 millimeter beads are usually used for women's simplified prayer beads. On the other hand, over 10 millimeter beads are used for men's. Formal prayer beads are also difference between men's and women's, such as women's is smaller than men's.

▲pagetop

Is the color of a tassel related according to age?

    Yes, there are some color differences among women in their 20s-30s, 40s-50s, and over 50s, but recently natural tint like greyish pink is popular and also the color witch can be used from 20s and throughout life. Some young people has somewhat a quiet and conservative color, and which is quite all right. White tassel has no age limitation in use.

▲pagetop

I've been told that I am not supposed to buy a prayer beads for my own use. Is this true?

    Some people believes that a prayer beads must be gave from someone, but it is not true.

▲pagetop

What is a formal prayer beads?

    It all depends on each sect. Each sect has own formal prayer beads. Nichiren sect in particular uses with 108 beads and 5 tassels. Basically simplified prayer beads are not accepted, but the other sects accept simplified prayer beads. Please have a look at our formal prayer beads in our website with photos.

▲pagetop

Can I use a bracelet for a funeral?

    For a funeral you need a proper prayer beads. Remember breacelets are good-luck charms.

▲pagetop

Can I give someone a prayer beads as a gift?

    By all means. In celebration of wedding, a coming-of-age or as a keepsake from your beloved one, all of these are quite acceptable.

▲pagetop

How do I take care of a prayer beads?

    High quality prayer beads are sold in a box made of paulownia wood, so keep it in this box or in a pouch. High quality corals are weak to sweat so clean them with dry cloth before putting it into a pouch.

▲pagetop

Does the tassel color vary according to the sect?

    No, it doesn't. It all depends on your taste, but temples are all ranked by their sect, therefore sometimes particular color is decided.

▲pagetop

Does the tassel shape mean anything?

    There are several types : round called "Bonten" , twist, string.....etc but they do not have any particular meaning in them, you can choose according to your taste. These days twist is much favoured throughout Japan.

▲pagetop

How glasses are different from crystals?

    It's very difficult. In general people say that crystal is cold and doesn't get steamed up, but it depends on the condition. Same thing happens to crystal as it does to glass. The big difference is the clarity. Let us see yours. We will give you an expert opinion.

▲pagetop

Is a prayer beads with lens high-cuality goods?

    Some prayer beads have Buddha lens in a larger parent beed and they will be found in souvenir shops in tourist resort. We also produce them, but as a rule no lens is supposed to be fitted in the quality goods. However, some high quality prayer beeds with lens are sold at some temples.

▲pagetop

If the strings got snapped, beads got damaged or went beyond repair, what should I do?
I got a feeling that I might incur divine punishment if I throw them away.

    Please take them to a Shinto Shrine where people leave their old good-luck charms. They will be disposed of after prayer. Don't throw it away thoughtlessly.

▲pagetop

I'm confused that some Kankin prayer beads that are used among Zen sect has a metal ring
in them, but some don't

    Kankin prayer beads are mainly used by temples, but some religious people use them as an amulet. Soto sect uses metal ring in them but Rinzai sect doesn't. There is nothing meaning, but this helps tell Soto sect from Rinzai sect.

▲pagetop

I'd like to know which bead means a talisman to keep off evil spirits, a protective charm
and a good-luck charm?

    It has been said
(1) Linden trees would bring you (infinite happiness)
(2) Crystal would bring you (billion times happiness) and
(3) Coral would bring you (hundred times happiness) , and they are still prefered even today.

▲pagetop

How do I take care of prayer beads?

    There isn't any specific way of taking care of your prayer beads. But high-quality red coral, lapis and malachite are vulnerable to sweat and their color might be fade. Please clean and polish them after use. Prayer beads of other material should be kept in a paulownia box or in a nenju pouch.

▲pagetop

I don't know the value of prayer beads which was past down from my parents. What can I do?

    Many department stores hold exhibition of the products throughout Japan in which Yasuda Prayer beads store is taking part in them. Take a look and visit us and we will have a look at yours. Please see the Kyoto exhibition on the separate page for a details.

▲pagetop

I am married to a man of different religious sect. It is said that Nichiren believers must
use their exclusive prayer beads but which them should I take when I go back to my
parents' home?  Nichiren prayer beads or others'?  And if I have Nichiren sect prayer beads
can I use it for other sect's

    We believe Nichiren sect belivers shold use their exclusive prayer beads. Once you get married you belong to your hausband's religious sect. If your husband's religion is not Nichiren sect you can't use Nichiren sect prayer beads. When you need prayer beads in your parents' home you can use your husband prayer beads. You can always use your own prayer beads regardless of your husband's sects at any funeral. You don't have to go along with others.

▲pagetop

Do I get divine help from cheap prayer beads?

    Prayer beads with particular significance would be basically different from cheaper ones, but the meaning of them is all the same. We don't think the price difference would make any difference in getting divine help. However you are supposed to take a good care of quality prayer beads.

▲pagetop

I've never seen prayer beads used in Shinto. Don't they ever use prayer beads?

    No, prayer beads are not used in Shinto. But many Shinto peaple take prayer beads with them to someones people funeral in order to be on good terms with their neighbours.

▲pagetop

I am a man, but my hands are small. Can I use nenju for women?

    There is no particular problem with using prayer beads for women, men's prayer beads can be made with smaller beads. We redommend that you order a customize men's version.

▲pagetop

I always wear a few breacelets on me. Is this sometihg strange?

    No, there is nothing wrong with this. We believe it is a good idea to carry bracelets or nenju. It helps protect you from evil spirits.

▲pagetop

I have two prayer beads. One is single and the other is double, but I don't know the difference.

    In Japan, short type is regarded as simplified one and it is used for all sects. But long type is more formal than short type and that have several tassels depends on each sect. In Japan, long type prayer beads are more polite than short type.

▲pagetop