(no subject)

[jhameia]

So just as I was about to go to bed last night Jeannette sprung on me one last component of my costume that we both forgot: the mandarin necklace.




And despite the fact that I was way too tired, we chatted anyway about this, because she could either make it for me and check out her aunt's semi-precious store, or I could try making it myself, and it would probably be cheaper if I made it myself.

This, despite the fact that getting out to fucking beads stores locally is difficult, because they are all in the middle of nowhere.

Anyway. Jeannette and I found Sotheby's description of the mandarin necklace, which is detailed and nifty, but neither of us could discover the significance of certain things.

For example!

We found that the main necklace varies from 102 - 108 beads. 108 sounds luckier, though, and easier to split:
The beads are divided in groups of 27 and separated by a larger marker bead made of a different material known as a fotou ("Buddha head"). The largest bead, which acts as a sort of clasp at the nape of the neck, is known as a fotouta ("Buddha head stupa"). Suspended from the fotouta is a back pendant known as a beiyun ("back cloud").

The three strands are jinian:
Three strands of marker beads (jinian) consisting of ten beads each, hang from the rosary at very specific positions. A pair of jinian strands is suspended after the fifth and ninth bead on one side of the fotouta, while a single strand is suspended after the seventh bead on the other side. The men and the highest ranking women of the court wore the necklace with the pair of jinian strands suspended on the left, while other court ladies had the pair of jinian strands hanging from the right.

Neither of us can find out why it's the 5th and 9th bead. Nor can we discern the reason behind the jinian beads, except that they're to mark events. But what events? The English-speaking Internet can provide no clues because of course everybody describing these are white people cataloguing Chinese antiques.

But the descriptions do mean I can make it for myself. To sum, I need the following:

27 x ~13mm beads
3 x 22mm (fotou)
1 x 25mm (fotouta)
30 x ~9mm (jinian)

And then I need a larger pendant for the beiyun.

I've been cruising on wholesalebeads for beads and bought some 8mm agate beads and 13mm prayer beads (because, that's what the mandarin necklace essentially is) but looking for anything bigger than 16mm is substantially harder.

And crap it's expensive to ship in from China.

Because it IS for a steampunk costume after all (well... not really. I do intend to wear the robe for special occasions in general), I've been looking at these silver plated beads for the fotou. I personally would like something a bit more meaningful for the fotouta, but you know what? I'll just make another one that's more personal for my own self that isn't for display.

The other problem with buying online is that I always have to buy in bulk. So.... I guess, once I'm done, and I find I really can't foresee myself using these beads anytime soon, I'll let you guys know in case you're interested in having some.

Comments

[februaryfour]

Jinnian = 经念? Because if so, that makes perfect sense to me. Unless jinian actually stands for something else?

[polymexina.livejournal.com]

That's actually what I'd heard in my (admittedly not Chinese and not Buddhist) middle school -- that the necklace was like a rosary bead but fancier and for virtues.

BTW please link this in your linkfest.

http://www.questioningtransphobia.com/?p=3568

[fantasyecho.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the beads are like prayer beads used to signify piety. I'm just trying to figure out the significance behind the specifics.

Got that from the original Tumblr =)

[fantasyecho.livejournal.com]

I... can't read that, so I'll totally take your word on it! =D