{"product_id":"cut-crystal-formal-bracelet-jodo-shinshu-april","title":"Cut Crystal Formal Prayer Beads Bracelet – Jodo Shinshu Sect (April Birthstone)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCut Crystal Birthstone Bracelet – Formal Jodo Shinshu Sect Prayer Beads\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis one-of-a-kind piece pairs the star-and-moon bodhi seed with April's birthstone, crystal, in the formal style of the Jodo Shinshu sect — part of Kohgen Ojuzukan's original Sect \u0026amp; Birthstone series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Materials\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe main beads are made from star-and-moon bodhi seeds (hoshizuki bodaiju) sourced from Hainan Island, China — considered the finest grade available. The countless small black flecks on each seed are said to resemble stars in a night sky, while the single larger mark left by the stem is likened to the moon, together evoking the universe, which has long been regarded in Buddhism as the realm of the Buddha. The bodhi tree is also cherished as the very tree beneath which Shakyamuni Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. (Many other types of bodhi seed are also used in prayer beads, including kongo, tengen, kokuryu, hogan, maya, kogan, gogan, and antique star-and-moon bodhi.)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout Cut Crystal, the April Birthstone\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes to bracelets, crystal remains an enduringly popular choice. It is one of the oldest natural stones cherished by people, long used in charms and rituals, and is still valued today for its calming, healing qualities and its frequent use in fortune-telling. Faceted into this bracelet's beads, the crystal catches the light from every angle, sparkling in a way that never grows tiring to look at — a genuine treat for anyone who loves crystal.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAbout the Jodo Shinshu Sect Formal Style\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis bracelet follows the formal prayer bead design of the Jodo Shinshu sect. One tassel has 20 counting beads attached, while the other has none, instead finished with a distinctive knot known as a renyo musubi. This knot, which resembles a butterfly with open wings, is the defining feature of Jodo Shinshu prayer beads. There is no fixed rule for the number of beads used, nor strict attention to form — what matters most is that these beads are treated as a cherished ritual implement used when pressing the palms together in prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem Number: 633v070000000\u003cbr\u003eParent Bead (Oyadama): Approx. 0.39 in (1.0 cm) – Cut Crystal\u003cbr\u003eMain Beads (Shudama): Approx. 0.28 in × 0.12 in thick (0.7 cm × 0.3 cm) – Star-and-Moon Bodhi Seed\u003cbr\u003eAccent Beads (Yotenma, ×4): Approx. 0.16 in (0.4 cm) – Cut Crystal\u003cbr\u003eInner Diameter: Approx. 6.69 in (17.0 cm)\u003cbr\u003eNote: As each bracelet is handcrafted from natural gemstone and bodhi seed, the exact grain and shade may vary slightly from the images shown. This is a one-of-a-kind piece.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Kohgen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48174468825325,"sku":"633v070000000","price":242.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/3003\/7997\/files\/633v070000000_1.jpg?v=1790737469","url":"https:\/\/shop.kohgen.com\/products\/cut-crystal-formal-bracelet-jodo-shinshu-april","provider":"Kohgen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}