Muza-chan's Gate to Japan

Shakujo, Buddhist monk staff

Wed, December 12, 2012, by Muza-chan
On Mount Takao, at the Yakuoin Yukiji Temple, in front of the two Tengu statues I noticed a beautiful but unusual metallic decoration representing, at a larger scale, the Buddhist ringed staff called shakujō.

The shakujō was usually made with 4 or 6 rings and was used in prayers, as accompaniment in chanting or simply as a walking stick. However, there are two other quite interesting uses for the shakujō: the monks used to shake the staff so that the ringing noise will scare away the insects from their path, thus avoiding to harm them... And another usage was... as a weapon, against dangerous animals or for self-defense.

Buddhist monk staff (shakujō)
EXIF info:

Nikon D90
Lens: VR 18-55mm F/3.5-5.6G
Focal Length: 55mm
Aperture: F/5.6
Shutter Speed: 1/40s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 400


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