 |
 | (1)Generally
it is said that it was used as a tool for counting. Later it became to be used
as worship articles. Although an old record says that it had been used as worship
articles before the birth of Shaka, there is no further description going back
to even earlier times. Therefore its origin is not known. In Islam and catholic
World, too , similar items are found. (2) It was not until Kamakura
era that nenju was widely used among ordinary Buddhists. New usage as a worship
item rather than counting tool for praying to Amida Buddha or Dharani. Together
with esoteric Buddha propagation rubbing is done and it makes the sound, which
looked upon something important. Ordinary believers, too, started to carry nenju
like monks did. |
 |
| (1)
Form
| 1. | |
Formal nenju has 108 koshu (children) and 2 boshu(parents). One parent has 20
kishi beads,and 2 kishi-stopper and 1 jomyo. The other boshu has a tassel and
4 shitendama. One shitendama is placed after the 7th koshu from the boshu with
kishi beads. Second shitendama is placed after the 21st koshu from the same boshu.
You repeat the same on the other side so you have symmetrical pattern in the end.
Shitendama are fractionally smaller than koshu. You use this nenju in double ring
form. Each koshu has a separate name representing BuddhaÕs teaching |
| 2. | | Informal nenju has bigger beads and
it is used as single, therefore there are several versions available; half size
(54 beads), a third size (136 beads), a quarter size ( 27 beads ), and one sixth
( 18 beads ). These days many people do not stick to the number of beads. We put
more emphasis on convenience, easiness to handde = priority is given to practicality.
| | 3. | | There are some other types
depending on sect or priests and ordinary people. |
(2) Dimensions Spread the Honren and measure the distance between one
mother bead and the other one. In nenju trade it is our tradition to use Shakkan
Ho ( Old Japanese measuring system ).
| 1. | | Formal
nenju normally has 7 sizes in its length.
8 sun (24 cm), shakusun ( 30 cm)
Shaku
2 sun (1 shaku 2 sun = 36 cm)
Shaku 3 sun (1 shaku 3 sun = 39 cm)
Shaku
6 sun (1 shaku 6 sun = 48 cm)
Shaku 8 sun (1 shaku 8 sun = 54 cm)
2 shaku
(60cm)
Basically ladiesÕs size is 8 sun. All other sizes are for gentleman.
Dimensions
of nenju are adjusted by beadsÕ size, such as bead size for 8 sun nenju is 5 mm,
6 mm beads are used for 1 shaku nenju and 8 mm beads are used for 1 shaku 2 sun.
| | 2. | | Informal single-hand nenju
makes a single loop around your hand. 8sun 5bu (25.5cm) for ladies, 9sun 5bu (28.5cm)
for gentlemen. | |
 |
| In the
old days nuts of Japanese Rosary Beads Trees or nuts of soapberry trees were used,
but as they came to be used for worship and its formalities began to take shapes,
people started to use below-mentioned materials.
| Nenju
material table | | material
grouping | actual names | remarks |
| Nuts | Nuts of Linden Trees, Nuts of Kongo Linden
Tree, Lotus Seeds, Ume seed, Coconut | As the time goes by it will have
a better complexion. Ancient Linden Trees in particular, are thought much of.
| | Wood | Aloewood tree, Box tree, Red
Sandalwood, Elbony, Bombay black wood, Chinaberry Tree Betel Palm Tree, Ume, Sandalwood,
Eagle Woods, and other fine-grained trees. | These also give you more lustre
as the time goes by and fragrant wood gives you aromatic flavour. |
| Natural stones | Amethyst, Rose Crystal, Brown-crystal,
Agate, Jade, Malachite, Citrine, Lapis Lazuli, Onyx, Tiger Eye, Chalcedony, Turquoise
| Among precious gemstones these are respected for its nobleness and colour
and lustre. Gemstones are expensive and crystals are also used as a charm to protect
you from evil. | | Others | Coral, Beach
Pine, Amber, Ivory, Shell, Pearl, Animal Bones, Synthetic Resin, Glass, Celluloid
| | |
 |
| When chanting
the name of Buddha hold nenju in your hands in prayer, repeat nenbutsu 7 times
and then hold nenju in your hands which are kept about one fist apart in front
of your chest. When your chanting comes to the very last word, push the nenju
beads one by one to your left by using your right hand thumb and index fingers
starting from the bead next to the mother bead. Like this you pray to Amida Buddha
108 times and the whole prayer is completed at a side of the mother bead. |
 |
| According
to a sutra of high virtue, it is said that when you chant one complete Buddha
names telling your Japanese Rosary - then itÕs pearls, coral gives you 100 times
happiness, soapberry tree gives you a 1000 times happiness, lotus can give you
a million happiness. Kongoshi Tree gives ten billion times, crystal a hundred
billion times and linden tree seed gives you infinite happiness. |
 |
| Formal
nenju is recommended for Nichiren sect and Jodo sect. For other sect people formal
nenju, informal single hand nenju is recommended, and also for women it is recommendable
to use double-ring nenju for each sect. |
|
