Ojime Beads are hand carved boxwood miniature sculptures, skillfully detailed by master wood carvers. They originated in Japan where they were traditionally worn dangling from the Obi belt of a Kimono along with Netsuke and Inro boxes. This Quan Yun and is top to bottom. Sold individually. Jasper Beads shown in photo are not included.

Quan Yin or Guanyin, is the goddess of compassion in Chinese mythology and a prominent figure in Buddhism. Her name translates to “Observing the sounds (or cries) of the world”, and she is summoned by worshipers in times of uncertainty, despair, and fear. She can be portrayed with a willow branch symbolizing resilience, or with a thousand arms and hands representing her awareness of anguish, or as a warrior armed with weapons representing the ferocity of compassion. She is sometimes a symbol for vegetarianism. Other of her epithets include The Maternal Goddess, the Protectress of Children, the Observer of All Sounds.