Ritual Staff (Shakujō)

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

In Japan, the shakujō usually consists of a wooden handle or pole topped with a metal finial with two sections, each with three rings. When begging, a monk rattles this staff to announce his arrival at the door or gate of a household without breaking his vow of silence. The shakujō is still used by followers of shugendō, an ascetic Buddhist practice undertaken in mountainous areas.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art