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Origin of Nenju
The birthplace of nenju is India and it is said that it was a tool to help your memory how much you pray Amida Buddha. Nuts or wood beads seem to have been used.
Spread of Nenju
It seems that nenju was used not by ordinary people but by noble Buddhists. It was widely used from Kamakura era onward, and like Buddhists priests ordinary followers started to carry and use it.
Dimensions
Shakkanho ( ancient Japanese measuring system) is still used. Basic number of beads is 108, which shows the number of worldly desires we all have.

*Formal nenju
Ladies.................8 sun (24 cm)
Gentlemen.........shaku (30 cm) ~shaku 6 sun (48 cm)
*Informal nenju
Gentlemen.........9 sun 5 bu ( bead size - over 10 mm)
Laides.................8 sun 5 bu ( bead size 6 ~ 8 mm )
Materials for nenju

Nuts :
Hoshizuki Liden Tree, Hogan Linden Tree, Ryugan Linden Tree, Kongo Linden Tree.
Woods :
Ume Tree, Mlberry Tree, Red Sandal Wood, Ebony, Bombay Black Wood, Chinaberry Tree Betel Palm Tree
Fragrant Wood :
Sandalwood, Aloeswood Tree,
Natural Stones:
Crystal, Agate, Tiger-eye, Chalcedony, Brown Crystal, Amethyst, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise etc.
Others:
When praying to Amida Buddha, hang your nenju on your left hand and put your hands together.

Usage

When praying to Amida Buddha, hang your nenju on your left hand and put your hands together

Each sect's way of holding nenju

Benevolence of nenju
It is said that nenju is a protective charm against evil spirits and brings about happiness and the following items in particular do carry such meaning.

Linden Tree.........infinite happiness
Crystal..................Billions times happiness
Coral......................Hundred times happiness
How to choose
We would recommend that Nichiren and Jodo sect believers should have formal ones. For other people I would recommend informal nenju or formal nenju with two rings.

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