Tulsi Japa Mala — 108 Beads with Saffron Tassel

One hundred and eight round tulsi beads, knotted individually in saffron
thread, finished with a tassel.

The knot between each bead is what makes this a japa mala rather than a
necklace: it stops the beads sliding together, so the thumb finds the next one
without looking and the count stays honest. It also means a broken thread
loses one bead, not all of them.

The beads are rounded and polished smooth by handling. The saffron thread is
bright when new and softens with use.

Keep it dry. The thread will loosen over months of chanting, which is normal
and can be re-knotted. The wood darkens with the oil of the hands — a mala in
daily use looks quite different by its second year.