From Yakushima — Japan's UNESCO World Heritage island of ancient cedars — comes yakusugi: cedar grown above 500 meters and shaped by thousands of years of weather. Living trees can no longer be felled; only naturally fallen wood, carefully recovered from the forest floor, may be carved. Every bead is irreplaceable.
In Japanese folk wisdom, the name yakusugi also reads as 'yaku-sugi' — 'misfortune passed' — and the wood has long been treasured as a charm for good fortune and longevity. Around the circumference of these beads, a master Kyoto juzu artisan has hand-engraved a complete cycle of the Heart Sutra, one of Asia's most beloved sacred texts. The strand is b![]()
uilt to a generous 24-bead count with two plain beads added for a comfortable fit.
Yakusugi is famed for its honey-sweet aroma and the way its surface ripens to a warm amber luster — a piece that grows alongside its wearer. Quadruple silicone cord for everyday durability.
An heirloom-quality bracelet, equally meaningful as a personal milestone marker or as a deeply considered gift.
Material: Main beads: Yakusugi (Yakushima ancient cedar), Heart Sutra hand-engraved · Cord: Polyurethane elastic
Size: Inner ø 19.5 cm (≈ 7.7 in) · Weight: 12 g (0.03 lb)
Origin: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan. Hand-finished by master Kyoto juzu artisans.
Each piece is handmade — natural variations in grain, color, and bead size are part of the craft.
