Nenju Keyaki mala bracelet

Noble zelkova wood, a tree endemic to Japan.

Nenju or juzu means rosary in Japanese. Like Tibetan malas, they originated in India and are used to meditate or to recite mantras. From India they passed to the rest of Asia then were introduced into Islam to finally reach the Christian Western world. The complete nenju has 108 pearls, symbol of the 108 human passions. Bracelets generally have 27 or any other multiple of 3.

Because of their beauty and presence, they are used as jewelry. In Kyoto we found a family of artisans who have been making Buddhist rosaries for over 300 years. Their meticulous workmanship reflects Japanese aesthetics and makes them both precious and conscious gifts.