also: さくじょう
Buddhist monk's staff; khakkhara
A staff topped with metal rings, traditionally carried by Buddhist monks. The jingling sound is said to warn small creatures and announce the monk's presence. The term is specific to Buddhist contexts.
The ascetic monk walked carrying a khakkhara staff.
The rings of the monk's staff jingle.
Burmannia championii (species of flowering plant)
Standard kanji spelling for the Buddhist staff.
Obsolete kana reading; not used in modern Japanese.
From Chinese 錫杖 (xīzhàng), literally 'tin staff', referring to the metal rings. The Japanese reading しゃくじょう is the on'yomi. The alternate reading さくじょう is obsolete.