1.
prayer beads; Buddhist rosary
A string of beads used in Buddhist prayer and meditation, traditionally used to count recitations of sutras or mantras. In Japan, they are also commonly held during funerals and memorial services.
念珠 is the formal/Buddhist term for prayer beads. The more casual everyday word is 数珠. Both refer to the same object, but 念珠 is preferred in religious contexts and formal writing.
Common collocations
- 念珠を手にする — to hold prayer beads
- 念珠を繰る — to work through prayer beads (counting recitations)
- 水晶の念珠 — crystal prayer beads