A Buddhist staff comprised of a long rod, handle or shaft and a decorative finial with metal rings. Most handles were made of wood, but some were made entirely of iron. Priests carried these staffs when going into the mountains. Striking the staff on the ground produced a noise that would scare any animals or insects out of harm’s way. The shakujō also functioned as ritual implements, shaken like a rattle to punctuate the chanting of sutras.