One of three superb antique bronze bells found on our last trip to Japan.

This is a superb antique solid bronze casting of a wonderful medium scale temple bell Bonsho. This bell was sourced from an old Kyoto Japanese collection recently, It dates to the end of the Meiji period to early Taisho period and displays a beautiful original old patina and rare blue azurite encrustation inside the bell (see photo) signifying good age

Dimension: 16 inches high and 10 inches diameter

Tone: beautiful when struck with striker- we will include a wooden striker as well

Quality: fine dark patina , old and original surface casting marks are visible which is not unusual for these aged instruments

This bell is a hard to find in this size; most found today are larger and heavier in scale.

History of Japan’s temple bells:

Rather than containing a clapper, bonshō is struck from the outside, using either a handheld mallet or a beam suspended on ropes.

Antique Japanese bronze temple bells have a handle of dragon heads called ryuzu, protrusions called "chi chi" or "nyu" to improve resonance of sound, protruding "tsuki-za" striking panels, and in some instances possess a "mei-bun" inscription of the bell’s history.

Bonshō or Buddhist bells known as tsurigane ( hanging bells) or great bells are large bells found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan, used to summon the monks to prayer.