Men's Prayer Beads, Kiso Cypress & Tiger's Eye, 22 Beads, Limited Edition

Men's Prayer Beads, Kiso Cypress & Tiger's Eye, 22 Beads, Limited Edition

Kiso cypress refers to natural cypress grown across the Kiso region and neighboring areas of Nagano Prefecture. While cypress can be harvested throughout Japan after roughly 30 to 40 years of growth, Kiso cypress requires 70 to 80 years, a result of the Kiso Valley's cold climate, which slows growth but produces exceptionally fine, straight timber with beautiful grain, outstanding durability, and natural antibacterial properties – qualities that have made it a material of choice for important structures since ancient times, including the heartwood of the five-story pagoda at Horyuji Temple. Kiso cypress in particular shows unusually fine, tightly packed growth rings and correspondingly beautiful grain, along with a soft texture, light weight, and a pleasant fragrance that has captivated people for generations. According to our rosary craftsman, this may be the first time natural Kiso cypress has been used so generously as a prayer-bead material, quite possibly a first for the industry; its gentle scent is noticeable the moment the beads are picked up. Paired here with tiger's eye, traditionally associated with improving fortune in money.

Product Specifications

Item Number: 631w820000000
Main Beads: Approx. 0.59 in (1.5 cm) – Tiger's Eye
Main Beads: Approx. 0.47 in (1.2 cm) – Kiso Cypress
Top Bead: Approx. 0.31 in (0.8 cm) – Tiger's Eye
Bead Count: 22 Beads