Shikishō, hangesa and ryaku-kataginu are related neck-worn Buddhist items: narrow strips of cloth hung around the neck, usually with a tassel at each end. Their designs, significance and use vary by school and temple. Lay members of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha wear a shikishō, while the term ryaku-kataginu is used in Shinshū Ōtani-ha. We also offer hangesa made to requested school specifications. Please confirm the appropriate item with your temple.
What is a shikishō?
The shikishō (式章) is the narrow strip that lay members of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha hang from the neck when they visit a temple or attend a service. It is carried together with prayer beads (nenju, 念珠) and our product page describes the pair as a must-have for temple visits. It is one of the small kesa on our small kesa page, and is related to the wagesa: both are small neck-worn items, worn as a sign of being Buddhist, in a form related to the kesa but not identical with it.
Our Japanese article on simplified kesa notes that for lay members of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha the neck-worn item is the shikishō (the term ryaku-kataginu is used in Shinshū Ōtani-ha), while the wagesa is more often seen in schools such as Tendai and Shingon. Some of our shikishō are sold as a set with prayer beads for a child’s first temple visit.
Shikishō, hangesa or ryaku-kataginu: which name is correct?
All three describe a narrow neck-worn strip; the name follows the school. Please read this as a guide to the names, not as a statement of what your temple requires.
| Name | Name used by |
|---|---|
| 式章 Shikishō | Lay members of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha. |
| 略肩衣 Ryaku-kataginu | The term used in Shinshū Ōtani-ha. |
| 半袈裟 Hangesa (“half kesa”) | Used by several other schools. We can make hangesa to the specification of schools such as Jōdo, Shingon and Sōtō; the details differ by school. |
Our listings also carry the label dendō-gesa (伝道袈裟) on some of these designs. If the name matters for your temple, please tell us what yours uses; we will tell you what we can make.
The same design is therefore often sold as “shikishō / ryaku-kataginu / hangesa”, and the same cloth can be cut and finished for the school you name. Someone who is a priest or who holds a particular office may need a different item from a lay follower; ask your teacher if you are not sure.
How wide is it, and are there sizes for children?
For our own cherry-blossom design, the widths are:
- Child: about 4 cm wide (also used for shosan-shiki, 初参式, a ceremony marking a child’s first temple visit)
- Adult: about 5 cm wide
- Adult, wide: about 6 cm wide
The length depends on the item and on the person. If you are unusually tall or small, or if you want a size that matches one you already own, send us the measurements or a photograph with a ruler beside it.
What designs are there?
The strip is small, so the cloth and the tassels carry the character. On our online shop you will find, for example:
| Design | Notes | From (JPY) |
|---|---|---|
| Kozakura (small cherry blossom) | Our own pattern in three colours. Child: ¥3,500; adult: ¥4,500; wide adult: ¥5,500 | ¥3,500 (child) |
| Rokkonjiki | Inspired by the Buddhist flag, with eight standard colour options | ¥4,480 |
| Kokuraori | Striped Kokura weave, a sturdy cloth traditionally woven in Kokura, Kyushu | ¥6,480 |
| Ahimsa silk | Silk made from cocoons after the moths have emerged, according to our product description; optional embroidered crest | ¥6,480 |
| Nigabyakudō | The “white path between two rivers” image from Pure Land teaching | ¥7,800 |
| First-visit set (Kozakura, in a flower-pattern box) | A shikishō sold as a set with prayer beads for a child’s first temple visit | ¥4,280 |
Prices are in Japanese yen as of 26 October 2026, listed from the lowest option, and may change. Please check each product page for colours, sizes and what is in stock. Shipping outside Japan and import duties are not included.
Is there a washable shikishō?
Yes. A shikishō hangs by the neck and takes sweat, so we made one from the same gauze-over-brocade cloth as our washable wagesa. The tassels are attached with a button: take the tassels off before washing and wash only the strip. You choose the form (shikishō, hangesa or ryaku-kataginu), the colour (Ukon, Uraha, Saganezu or Binrōji-guro), the width (standard, wide or child) and whether to have no crests or three. It is ¥6,780 to ¥13,800 as of 26 October 2026, depending on the options.
Unbutton and remove the tassels first, then put the strip in the designated washing net and wash it in a washing machine on a gentle setting. Avoid a strong spin and do not use a tumble dryer. Do not wash the tassels with it. If you are unsure, contact us before washing. These instructions are for this washable item only; do not apply them to other shikishō or hangesa.
How do I order a shikishō or hangesa from abroad?
Please contact us first. International shipping may be available depending on the item and destination, and we cannot say in advance for every country. In your first message, tell us:
- your school and temple, and the name you use for the item (shikishō, hangesa, ryaku-kataginu);
- whether it is for a priest, an adult follower or a child, and the width;
- the design and colour you have in mind, and whether you want crests;
- your country and the date you need it by.
The shipping charge and any import duties depend on your destination. A ¥0 shipping charge at checkout does not mean free international shipping: we calculate the real cost after your order and bill it separately. Please contact us for the shipping arrangements for your destination.
Not sure which name your temple uses?
Tell us your school and temple and we will tell you what we can make. A photograph of the one you have now is the best starting point.
Browse the shop: shikishō, hangesa and ryaku-kataginu
Frequently asked questions
What is a shikishō?
A shikishō is a narrow strip hung from the neck, worn by lay members of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha when they visit a temple, together with prayer beads.
Is a hangesa the same as a shikishō?
They are related narrow neck-worn strips, but not simply different names for one thing: design, significance and use vary by school and temple. “Shikishō” is the term for lay members of Jōdo Shinshū Hongwanji-ha, “ryaku-kataginu” is used in Shinshū Ōtani-ha, and we make hangesa to requested school specifications. Please confirm the appropriate item with your temple.
What width should I choose?
For our cherry-blossom design the widths are about 4 cm for children, 5 cm for adults and 6 cm for a wide adult size. Tell us if you need to match a size you already own.
Can a shikishō be washed?
Yes, our washable shikishō can. Unbutton and remove the tassels, put the strip in the designated washing net and wash it in a washing machine on a gentle setting, avoiding a strong spin and a tumble dryer. If you are unsure, contact us before washing. Other shikishō and hangesa should not be washed at home; please ask us first.
Can you ship a shikishō to my country?
International shipping may be available depending on the destination, so please contact us before ordering. Shipping is billed separately after the order and import duties are not included.
Keep reading
Written by Kengo Kawakatsu (“Naoshichi”), fourth-generation owner of Naoshichi Houiten, a Kyoto maker of kesa and Buddhist robes since 1920.