Craftsman
The Craftsman
Keiichiro Nagaoka
Founder, Nagaoka Nenjuten LLC
Ebetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
Profile
Not just a craftsman —
a "Nenju Concierge"
Hello, I'm Keiichiro Nagaoka. Born in Sapporo in 1977, I spent years as a systems developer before pivoting entirely to prayer beads. I founded this workshop in 2009 and incorporated it as an LLC in 2017.
Over the years I've been featured in television, radio, newspapers, and magazines. I also run an online school and have expanded into NPO and community volunteer activities.
"I wonder what kind of beads are right for me…" The perfect set is rarely the same as someone else's. Materials, Buddhist denomination, regional traditions, personal customs, budget — the variables are almost endless.
Let's talk it through and craft something made just for you. Reach out any time — this is where a long and meaningful relationship begins.
Story
The Story of Nagaoka Nenjuten
In 2009, at a crossroads in life, I started quietly repairing broken prayer beads with the modest skills I had acquired — just to make ends meet. That was the humble beginning of Nagaoka Nenjuten.
Through relentless research and practice, I developed assembly techniques that stand alongside — and in some areas surpass — those of long-established workshops. I've built access to premium materials sourced from around the world. Other shops sometimes send me their most difficult repair cases, trusting in my ability to solve what others cannot.
Unlike a large company, I cannot spend heavily on advertising. But every set I make carries a sincere commitment to never betray the trust of a customer. That passion has gradually found its audience — leading to coverage in multiple media outlets and a growing community of people who use and cherish these beads.
"It is strange — it just felt right the moment I held it."
— Y, Shizuoka Prefecture
"Using something I treasure every day — I've come to feel that is true happiness."
— N, Kyoto Prefecture
Philosophy
"Listen · Create · Deliver"
"I want people to have truly good prayer beads." That is the origin of Nagaoka Nenjuten. In an era when religious practice is fading and Buddhist rituals are increasingly abbreviated, prayer beads may well be the last item we still hold in our hands.
I want each person to make the best possible choice. To support that, I keep honing both my knowledge and my technique.
Fine prayer beads last not just a lifetime but — repaired and cared for — across generations.