Shakujo
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A Shakujo (Japanese: 錫杖, Sanskrit: khakkhara, literally: "tin stick") is a Buddhist ringed staff. The jingling of the staff's rings is used to warn small sentient beings (i.e. insects) of the potentially harmful/squashing consequences the walking of its carrier may bring about. Ringing also is used to alert the faithful that there is a monk within earshot in need of alms. The number of rings is determined by the status of the user though most shakujo have six rings which represent the six states of existence (Humans, Animals, Hell, Hungry ghosts, Gods, and Jealous gods).
The wooden shaft can either be long for use as a walking stick or short to accompany in chanting. As a staff, the shakujo could be wielded as a weapon, in Chinese wuxia novels the shakujo is often the weapon of warrior monks, especially those of Shaolin temple.
Famous carriers of Shakujo: The bodhisattva (Bosatsu) Jizo , patron saint of children and travellers, is usually depicted holding a shakujo in his hand.
Tengu are often depicted carrying/fighting with shakujo.
Miroku, the lecherous monk, and Miyatsu, the former's grandfather, from the Manga/Anime Inuyasha carries a shakujo.
Kujaku, a mysterious character from the manga RG Veda, is often depicted with a shujoku in hand. He does not have one in the OVA, but the seeress in both manga and anime uses one when making the great prophecy which drives the entire plot.
Nankobo Tenkai wields this type of weapon in Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams.
Sakuyamon, a goddess like monster from the Digimon anime series, weilds a golden shakujo which she uses to weild devastating elemental magics and ward of dark spirits and foes.
Chichiri, a wizard and one of the Suzaku Senshi, from the Manga/Anime Fushigi Yūgi uses a shakujo in his spellcasting.
In the anime Ronin Warriors, "The Ancient", a monk, carries an enchanted shakujo, also used for spellcasting. Usually the rings will "dance" by themselves before magic activates.
Outlaw Star, another Anime, features a character named Ronald MacDougall who wields a mystical Caster gun that resembles a shakujo.
Rezo, the Red Priest, in the anime series Slayers carries a shakujo.
