Prayer Beads, also called "omoinotama" or "nunju" in Japanese, are the small wooden beads strung on a loop used in Buddhist worship. The number of beads is typically 108, corresponding to the 108 earthly desires or sins that the beads have the power to extinguish. "Prayer Beads" is a series of 9 episodes of 30-minute dramas strung together, with the characters in each episode designing one thread of fate. The short independent episodes are skillfully linked together to become one story. The protagonists' dreams and fears and feelings about this life are all taken up and spun around to reach a dramatic conclusion in the final story.
Prayer Beads
May 8, 2004
Miki has been depressed due to the disappearance of her husband Akira. Her friend Hiroko attempts to comfort Miki, but is very worried about her friend. Miki spends all of her time in her apartment with the draperies shut, and she isn't taking very good care of her son named Takuya, who leaves for school before she awakens. As the story unfolds, it becomes quite clear that both Miki and Hiroko and both hiding deadly secrets from one another.
Vending Machine Woman
May 8, 2004
A young couple, Mayu & Kota, travel to a mountain cabin for a getaway. They arrive late and find that the cabin has no water. When they contact the manager, they are told that they must wait until the next morning for repairs, because no one in that area goes out at night -- people are afraid to. Kota ventures out to get Mayu something to drink and comes across an ancient vending machine. The couple both drink the unfamiliar brand of soft drink and suddenly find themselves behaving very strangely.
It's Me
May 8, 2004
Yuki and his sleazy business associate scam money from innocent people by pretending to be distant relatives in need of funds. When Yuki goes to visit a old woman, posing as a friend of her grandson, strange things begin to happen.
Real
May 8, 2004
Azuma is a surgeon who is plagued by headaches, which are affecting his work. Despite the fact that his friend and colleague, Nagai, attacked Azuma and injured his wrist, he takes the man's advice and seeks help from an underground healer. This man gives Azuma a drug which causes him to begin having very vivid and disturbing visions. Are these hallucinations or is he beginning to see the world for what it really is?
Mushroom Hunting
May 8, 2004
Kuni, Yuu, and Maki meet in an online chat room and decide to go mushroom hunting. (?!) While climbing the mountain, they meet an old man who tells them that no one ventures into the area due to a local legend about a witch. Undaunted, the friends continue their quest. They soon meet a kindly old woman in the woods. There's nothing suspicious about that, right?
Eddie
May 8, 2004
The public is captivated when a seal-like animal, nicknamed "Eddie", appears in the Edogawa River. Everyone, that is except for young Ikuo. His Grandpa is the leader of a group who wants to save Eddie, but Ikuo is the only one who seems to dislike the creature. This may be because many people dislike Ikuo as people tend to die around him. Even Grandpa finds Ikuo a little creepy. Should Grandpa trust his instincts and help to protect Eddie, or trust his grandson?
Echoes
May 8, 2004
A young woman named Yumika is lured into the subway and murdered. Coincidentally (or was it by some supernatural force?) her arm is found near the home of her grandparents. Clutched in her hand is a note describing her killer's tattoo. So, Grandpa begins searching the city to find a man with a tattoo which matches. Meanwhile, Yumika's twin sister comes to visit Yumika's boyfriend and they begin a torrid romance.
Cat's Paw
May 8, 2004
A young boy named Shota is bullied at school and hates being at home because his parents fight violently. Shota receives a mysterious e-mail with a link to a website called "Nyanta". Shota registers on the site and is soon treated to an animated show starring a bumbling cat named Nyanta. In the story, Nyanta helps a young boy named Shota defeat some bullies. The next day Shota learns that one of his tormentors has been found dead. Shot then returns to the Nyanta website to see what other favors Nyanta can do for him.
Apartment
May 8, 2004
A mother begins to prepare dinner. While she does this, her teenaged children watch TV. The father sits at the table complaining and ranting. Once the dinner is ready, the entire family sits at the table. No one speaks and no one makes eye contact. The father continues to complain and states that none of the dishes are made to his liking. As the meal continues, the tension mounts. How much can this family take?
