The Imperial Guard's Staff 　　　　　　The Buddhist Khakkhara

original: Wúzhàng (吾杖) and Xīzhàng (錫杖). These labels identify the two primary objects in the illustration.

The Imperial Guard's Staff

The Guard’s Staff (originally Wúzhàng) was an emblem of the Jinwu guards—the elite imperial paramilitary force responsible for patrolling the capital and clearing the way for the Emperor. The name Wú is an abbreviation for Jinwu (the Golden Bird), a mythical creature said to ward off evil and never sleep. These staffs were carried by officers to signify their authority to enforce the law and maintain order during state processions.

The Buddhist Khakkhara

The Khakkhara (originally Xīzhàng, literally "Tin Staff") is one of the eighteen essential possessions of a Buddhist monk. As shown in the woodcut, the head of the staff is fitted with metal loops and rings. When shaken, the rings produce a distinct jingling sound. This served a dual purpose in the Ming era: it warned small creatures like insects to move out of the monk's path to prevent them from being accidentally stepped on, and it signaled a monk’s arrival at a house when begging for alms, sparing the monk from having to knock or call out.