Small silver hairpin in the shape of a monk’s staff. This ‘alarm-staff’ or ‘Hikele’ with its tinkling rings was used by roaming monks who, by tapping it on the ground, tried to warn small animals to prevent stepping on them as it is a Buddhist rule not to take the life of any creature. The hairpin is not marked. We believe that it dates from the Qing Dynasty (1644 – 1912). Length 9.5 cm. Width 1.0 cm.