Stray Beads are the component beads of a prayer necklace that are scattered all over Nippon in Ōkami. There are 100 Beads in all, and collecting all of them creates the String of Beads, an extremely powerful Holy ArtifactAmaterasu can use.
In Ōkamiden, there are Treasures called Stray Beads, but they do not form a necklace and their only purpose is to be collected and sold. Instead, what composes the String of Beads are Issun's Masterpieces, replacing the role of the original Stray Beads. There are a total of 5 sets, each set containing 10 pieces - thus there are only 50 pieces in total.
The list below includes various conversations that are technically optional, although on first encounter they provide useful clues about what to do next. In many cases (but not all), the key action can be performed to get the bead without actually requiring the previous conversation to take place. However, in some cases, conversation is necessary to acquire the bead. Most of the hidden beads, especially the buried ones, can be found within treasure chests unless otherwise noted.
In a chest on the upper rafters just past the banners. Lift the banners with Galestorm and leap across them to reach the platform.
After learning Galestorm.
Sasa Sanctuary[]
No.
Location
Available
30.
Buried next to the bamboo fountain at the entrance to the building. Only seen at night.
Immediately.
31.
Inside the first upstairs room to the left. Paint a dot on the white eye of the Daruma doll.
After gaining access to the building by saving Chun.
32.
Buried in a chest in a small grove at the back of the Bamboo Forest. Only seen at night.
After gaining access to the Bamboo Forest by learning Waterspout.
Gale Shrine[]
No.
Location
Available
33.
Without getting on the elevator, draw a Cherry Bomb inside it to send it up one level. Drop into the hole below for some treasure, including the Bead.
Immediately.
34.
The burning chest on the second floor.
After learning Galestorm on the third floor.
35.
Head down the right tunnel from the room with the pool of water to find Princess Fuse training the Eight Canine Warriors. Accept her challenge and face the dogs in battle. Defeat all of them for 48 Praise and a Stray Bead.
Clear the Devil gate near the entrance to Sei'an City to reveal a group of rabbits. One rabbit is black and white (and is fed separately from the regular rabbits). Carry this lone rabbit (press Triangle/C to pick him up as a biteable object) over to the Animal lover on the beach.
Complete the Devil gate trial cave in this area. The entrance is a hard-dig spot near some cows, behind Ankoku Temple and on the way to the Guardian Sapling, but it is blocked off as a cursed area until after the Guardian Sapling is restored.
After learning Digging Champ and encountering all of the "forced" (inescapable) fights in the area.
In a chest in the southwest section of the canal. Use Power Slash to open it if the water in the canal is already restored.
Immediately.
47.
Buried behind a hidden wall in Mr. Flower's house.
Immediately.
48.
Across from the Origin Mirror, buy Charcoal from the Tool Dealer's shop. Give the Charcoal to a girl in the east part of town who is drawing some designs on the ground. Speak to her again and pay attention to the shape in the thought bubble. Head over to the Kimono Shop and draw the same design until Mr. Chic accepts it by saying "That pattern almost seems as if it could make something happen", then return to the girl for 20 Praise and another design. After successfully drawing five designs for her, she will give Amaterasu the Stray Bead.
After defeating Blight.
49.
Complete the series of race-like minigames against Hayazo and return four stolen items to their owners: a Glass Watch, Millet Dumplings, a Chrysanthemum Hairpin, and finally a Tao Mask. To return the last item, refill the dry pond in the southeast, then use Waterspout to access Waka's base of operations; give the Mask to Abe for 50 praise, a secret about Waka, and the Stray Bead.
After defeating Ninetails.
50.
Bring Camille and Camellia from Kamiki Village, where they are first encountered underneath Konohana by going around the torii instead of through it. In Kamiki, listen to them and headbutt Camille after she says "If someone would just hit me...", prompting them to give Amaterasu 10 Praise and eventually move along. When they appear in Sei'an City near the Kimono Shop, speak to them again until Camille says "Maybe if trees appeared right here out of nowhere, well...", then paint a dot on the ground to make a tree sprout up. Talk to the duo a third time; when Camille says "Maybe if there was rain right after the tree appeared...", draw a dot on the ground to make a tree, then use Deluge before the tree disappears. Talk to Camille, who finally believes in Amaterasu's existence, to get 50 Praise and a Stray Bead.
Buried next to the small bridge that leads to the emperor's section in the Aristocratic Quarter.
After lowering the bridge.
52.
Defeat Komuso's monsters within 30 seconds. For him to be in Sei'an City, first the demons in his challenges in Kamiki Village and Kusa Village must be defeated in less than 12 and 25 seconds respectively.
After lowering the bridge.
53.
In a submerged chest to the eastern side of the giant bridge.
After defeating Blight.
54.
At the dead end outside and left of Himiko's Palace.
After learning Veil of Mist and gaining access to the palace.
55.
Behind the elevator in Himiko's palace.
After learning Veil of Mist and gaining access to the palace.
At the end of the bear cave, near the path leading to Wep'keer
After blooming the Guardian Sapling.
76.
On the ice waterfall next to the portal to Wep'keer.
After blooming the Guardian Sapling.
77.
Buried near the Mermaid spring (initially hidden by a Devil gate).
After blooming the Guardian Sapling.
78.
Appears after defeating Blockhead Grande in the local Divine spring.
Immediately.
79.
Appears after clearing the Devil Gate Trial Cave. As Amaterasu goes up the path to Wep'keer, keep looking over the edge until a hard-dig spot with a clover is within sight. The entrance is through a tunnel on the next level down from the clover.
Found on the eastern most platform. Cross the lake to get to the platform and then use Vine to get to it. The bead is in the chest on the left in a block of ice.
Immediately.
85.
Buried on the cliffside behind Tuskle's hut. Use Vine to get to it.
Immediately.
86.
Buried in the hard-dig spot on the cliffside behind Tuskle's hut. Use Vine to get to it.
After learning Digging Champ
87.
In the rocky area accessible through Mist Warp
After gaining Mist Warp
Yoshpet[]
No.
Location
Available
88.
Near the end of the second section.
Immediately
89.
Buried at the end of the wrong path at the end of the third section.
Immediately.
90.
Given by Kai after beating her in an optional racing minigame.
After defeating Lechku and Nechku
Ponc'tan[]
No.
Location
Available
91.
On the lilypad near the Origin Mirror. Use Vine to get to it.
Immediately.
92.
In a chest on a lily pad in the Northwest section.
Immediately.
93.
Given by Ishaku when Amaterasu comes back and talk to him.