{"product_id":"garnet-formal-bracelet-jodo-shinshu-january","title":"Garnet Formal Prayer Beads Bracelet – Jodo Shinshu Sect (January Birthstone)","description":"\u003ch2\u003eGarnet 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 January's birthstone, garnet, in the formal style of the Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism) 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 Garnet, the January Birthstone\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eGarnet's deep wine-red color has also earned it the name 'pomegranate stone,' after its resemblance to pomegranate seeds. Its name derives from the Latin for 'protect from illness.' As January's birthstone, garnet is said to lead the wearer to victory and success through steady, persistent effort. In medieval Europe it was reportedly given by women to knights as a pendant thought to deflect arrows, and it has long been carried as a protective charm for that reason; it is denser than quartz, reflecting its tightly packed crystal structure, and was historically also used medicinally to help stop bleeding.\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 (Shin Buddhism) sect. One tassel side has 20 counting beads attached, while the other side has none and instead features a distinctive knot known as a renyo-musubi, said to resemble a butterfly with open wings — a defining feature of Jodo Shinshu prayer beads. There is no fixed rule for the total number of beads; the beads are treasured simply as a ritual implement used when pressing the palms together in prayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eProduct Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem Number: 633v067000000\u003cbr\u003eParent Bead (Oyadama): Approx. 0.39 in (1.0 cm) – Garnet\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) – Garnet\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":48174466302189,"sku":"633v067000000","price":349.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/3003\/7997\/files\/633v067000000_1.jpg?v=1790737104","url":"https:\/\/shop.kohgen.com\/products\/garnet-formal-bracelet-jodo-shinshu-january","provider":"Kohgen","version":"1.0","type":"link"}