You're standing in front of Isshin, Sword Saint, and he just clipped you for 80% of your health with one swing. It’s frustrating. You’ve got the parry timing down (mostly), but your health bar looks like a toothpick. This is exactly why hunting down Sekiro all prayer beads isn't just a completionist chore; it’s literally the difference between surviving a mistake and staring at the "Death" screen for the thousandth time.
There are 40 beads in total. That makes 10 necklaces. If you’ve been scouring the rooftops of Ashina and still find yourself short, you aren't alone. Some of these things are tucked away in places that defy logic, while others are locked behind specific story choices that can ruin a "perfect" run if you aren't careful.
The Missable Beads Everyone Forgets
Honestly, the biggest headache in Sekiro is the "point of no return." Most players think they can just mop up the remaining beads before the final boss. You can't. Once you defeat the Divine Dragon in Fountainhead Palace, the world changes. Certain mini-bosses just... vanish.
The Purification Trap
The most notorious beads are the two hidden in the "second" memory of the Hirata Estate. You can't even get there unless you're aiming for the Purification ending. You have to eavesdrop on Emma and Kuro, follow a specific dialogue chain, and get the Father’s Bell Charm.
If you miss this window before killing the Dragon, those two beads are gone until New Game Plus. You'll be stuck at 38/40, forever staring at an incomplete necklace. It's brutal.
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The "Ura" Ashina Castle
When the interior ministry invades later in the game, the mini-bosses in Ashina Castle swap out. If you didn't kill the first Seven Ashina Spears or the Lone Shadow in the reservoir early on, you might think you’re locked out. Fortunately, the game is kinda nice here—unclaimed beads from early-game bosses usually end up in the Offering Box at the Dilapidated Temple. But don't rely on that. It's always glitchier than just stabbing them yourself.
Where the Hidden Ones Are Hiding
Most beads drop from mini-bosses. You kill a General, you get a bead. Simple. But there are a handful that are just... sitting there. In chests. Under water. Behind fake walls. These are the ones that drive people crazy.
1. The Attic of the Great Serpent Shrine
Everyone remembers the Tengu of Ashina. He’s the guy who gives you the "rat" hunting quest. But almost nobody looks up in that building. After the Gyoubu Oniwa fight, go into the building where you met the Tengu. Grapple up into the rafters. There’s a chest in the attic with a prayer bead. It’s one of the easiest to miss because you’re usually too busy worrying about the giant horseman you just killed.
2. The Sunken Valley's Secret Path
Near the Under-Shrine Valley idol, there’s a path that looks like a dead end. If you turn around and grapple across the gap, you’ll find two gunmen. Kill them, climb the wall, and shimmy across a narrow ledge. There’s a small snowy area with a bunch of grave markers and—you guessed it—a prayer bead.
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3. The Mibu Village Lake
Once you get the Mibu Breathing Technique (the ability to dive), go back to Mibu Village. The lake there isn't just for show. Dive to the bottom, and you'll find a chest. Most people forget to backtrack to early areas once they learn to swim, but the game rewards that backtracking heavily.
4. Hidden Walls in Ashina Castle
In the Upper Tower - Antechamber, there’s a room with two blue-robed samurai sitting on the floor. Look at the wall between the two suits of armor. It’s a shinobi door. Hug the wall, and it flips around. Inside is a chest with a bead. There’s another similar wall in the Hirata Estate Audience Chamber, right before the Lady Butterfly fight. Look for a wall with a scroll on it.
The Mini-Boss Gauntlet
If you're at 39/40 and you've checked all the chests, you're likely missing a specific wanderer. Here’s a quick mental checklist of the "weird" ones:
- The Sakura Bull: Everyone knows the Blazing Bull, but in Fountainhead Palace, there’s a "Sakura" version. He’s tucked away behind the Flower Viewing Stage. You have to walk around the side of the buildings to find him.
- The Lone Shadow in the Well: Remember where you started the game? Go back there. There’s a ninja waiting in that hole.
- The Second Chained Ogre: He’s at the bottom of the Ashina Castle interior, right under the Antechamber. You can literally drop down on his head from the rafters.
- The Headless Ape’s "Friend": When you fight the Guardian Ape again in the Ashina Depths, he calls for help. If you beat them both, you get two beads at once.
Why 40 Beads Matter in 2026
You might wonder why we're still talking about this years later. It's because Sekiro's difficulty doesn't age. Whether it's your first playthrough or you're jumping back in for a "Charmless/Demon Bell" run, having that maxed-out health bar is your only safety net.
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Each necklace increases your Vitality and Posture. By the time you have all 10, your posture bar is massive. This allows you to miss a few parries without getting your guard broken and being instantly executed by someone like Owl or Isshin.
Actionable Steps for Your Hunt
If you’re serious about finding Sekiro all prayer beads, do this:
- Check the Offering Box first. If you progressed the story too far, any "missed" beads from deleted mini-bosses might be sitting there for purchase.
- Get the Mibu Breathing Technique. You cannot get all 40 without it. It's a reward for beating the Corrupted Monk (the ghost version) in Mibu Village.
- Unlock the Second Hirata Memory. Do this before you fight the Divine Dragon. Eavesdrop on Kuro in his room until Emma moves to the top of the stairs, then follow her questline.
- Buy the Merchant’s Bead. There’s a merchant right next to the Abandoned Dungeon Entrance idol. He sells one for 1400 Sen. It's the only one you can straight-up buy.
Once you have all 40, you'll unlock the "Peak Physical Strength" trophy. More importantly, you'll finally be able to tank more than one hit from the end-game bosses. It doesn't make the game easy, but it makes it fair. Go get 'em, Shinobi.