当店がございます京極町（寺町通松原上ル）は、平安京の五条大路東 京極大路にあたり、平安時代末には歌人・藤原俊成（高名な元公家　冷泉家の祖先にあたる『新古今和歌集』や『小倉百人一首』の選者で、この歌集で歌われている「来ぬ人を　松帆の浦の夕なぎに　焼くや藻塩の身もこがれつつ」の作者で著名な藤原定家の父君である。）の邸宅がありました。『平家物語』や謡曲『俊成忠度』には平家が都落ちするとき、引き返して来た平忠度が俊成の家を訪ね、自作の歌「楽浪や志賀の都は荒れにしを昔ながらの山桜かな」を託し、俊成はこの歌を詠み人知らずとして『千載和歌集』に入集したことが語られています。

    この京極町に当店が珠数屋を営みましたのが、明和元年(1764)。仏教が日本に伝来して以来、法具である珠数は専門職として寺院の中だけでその技法が受け継がれていたため、珠数屋が職業として成立したのは当店が創業を始めた18世紀の事でした。各宗派の大本山が集まる京都に寺院から独立した珠数屋が誕生したのは、当然の成り行きと言えましょう。

    珠数は素材から形式・製造法に至るまで、経典に詳しく定められている法具です。現存する珠数の中では東大寺の正倉院に収められているものが一番古く、その形態は変わる事なく受け継がれ、機械が発達した現代でもすべて手作業で作られます。

    一玉一玉が人間の煩悩をあらわし、持つ人の身を守る珠数。当店が心をこめて手作り致しました珠数を、どうぞ大切にお使い下さい。

     Kyogoku-cho (teramachi-dori matsubara agaru) where my shop is located means that Gojo-dori Higashi, kyogoku-ogi in Heiankyo. At the end of Heian period, there was the residence of a poet, Fujiwara Toshinari who is a selector of "Shinkokinwakashu", "Ogurahyakunin isshu" and came from ancestors of The Reizen, famous ex-court noble and he was Fujiwara Sadaie's father. Fujiwara Sadaie is famous author of "konuhitowo Matsuhonouranoyunagini Yakuyamojionomimokogaretsutsu."

     In "Heikemonogatari" and "Noh" song "Shunzeitadanori" when Heike retired into the country Tairano Tadanori came back and visited Fujiwara Toshinari left his own song "Rakuroya Shiganomiyakowaarenishiwo Mukashinagarano Yamazakurakana." It is said that Toshinari read this song and added in "Senzaiwakashu" secretly.

     I run "Juzu" beads shop in kyogoku-cho in 1764, Meiwa 1,After Buddhism was introduced into Japan,"Juzu" beads shop came into existence as a occupation in 18th century when I started business. Because we took over the technical skill of "Juzu" beads as a professional occupation in Buddhist temples. It was natural that "Juzu" beads shop became independent of Buddhist temples in Kyoto which assembled the chief temple of each sect.

     "Juzu" beads of shosoin, Todaiji is the oldest among existing "Juzu" beads, "Juzu" Beads inherited the shape invariably, Even the present day that the machine developed "Juzu" beads were made handmade entirely.

     Each bowl indicates wordly desires and "Juzu" beads protect from the body of holders. Please take good care of "Juzu" beads that are handmade from the bottom of my shop's heart.