Rare Bronze Antique Fire Bell With Unique Family History And Provenance

One of a kind fine bronze “Hansho” fire bell . This rare bell was used by the same Japanese family for nearly 100 years! It had been hung from the 2nd floor eaves of this family home – faithfully serving as an emergency fire alarm for the community. Such bells were essential community safety equipment, used to alert neighborhoods of fires and other emergencies.

This thick bronze blue patinated bell is richly toned with crisp casting designs- the first we have seen..

Pleasant resonating sound guaranteed to please you.

Please view our video.

Dimensions: 16 inches tall and 10 inches diameter.

An excellent candidate for your special garden space or meditation nook.

We will include an authentic Japanese wooden striker as shown.

At the top, the handle (ryûzu) is crafted in the form of two mirrored dragon heads.
Around the upper portion of the bell, the pronounced bosses Fu (chi) are arranged in five rows of five. Lower sections are surrounded by embossed cartouches with a flower-shaped striking panel (tsuki’za).

The attractive patina and some color variations are an authentic sign that this bell was used functionally and had actually hung and was used to warn of fires in one of Japan’s ancient neighborhood communities.

We are members of NAJGA- The North American Japanese Garden Association.

History of Rare Fire bells in Japan

Japanese fire bells, or “hanshō”, were historically used as warning systems in fire towers or on ladders to alert communities to fires, and their use reflects the vulnerability of wooden Japanese buildings to fire. During World War II, Japan’s industrial metal needs led to the confiscation and destruction of an estimated 70,000 (90%) of its bells for armaments, with many bells being lost to war or taken as trophies. Today, some of the original fire bells are preserved in museums, while the use of the bells has been revived in some areas for disaster warnings, such as tsunamis and floods.

Historical use as fire alarms :
Fire towers: During the Edo period, hanshō were hung in watchtowers (Hinomi-yagura) in neighborhoods, with firemen on duty to sound the alarm.
The way the bell was struck could indicate the type of disaster or even the location of a fire.
Traditional materials: The traditional Japanese houses, made of flammable materials like wood and paper, made fire a constant threat, requiring efficient early warning systems like bells.

Modern use and preservation
Museum artifacts: Many surviving fire bells are now preserved in museums, such as the fire-cart bell from Aomori, which is now at The National WWII Museum. Modern disaster warnings: The practice of using bells has been revived in some areas to warn of natural disasters like tsunamis and floods, especially when power is out.

Symbolic significance:

For your special garden display or meditation setting comes this pleasant sounding 16 inch tall bronze bell. Its original old and natural patination belies its importance and rarity. Beautiful deep resonating ring tones await the new owner of this one-of-a-kind master work. We will include the rare and original wooden striker as shown in photographs.

Unique.
Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. We have handled dozens of authentic Japanese bronze bells over the years. Our president travels to Japan regularly and inspects each work of art guaranteeing authenticity.

Please call us or message us for more information or to reserve this special bell.

About The Bells “Voice of Buddha”
The earliest bells bonsho date to around 600 AD, although the general design is of much earlier Chinese origin and shares some of the features seen in ancient Chinese bells. Their penetrating and pervasive tone carries over considerable distances. The sound of the bell is thought to have supernatural properties. It is believed, for example, that it can be heard in the underworld.
In Japanese ceremonies, some special hanging bells are used for signaling during the prayer and for calling Buddhists to worship. In China, similar bells were employed in ensembles, where they represented the yin, or “receptive” principle, and were sounded after the beat of a large drum (yang, or “creative” element). The Japanese bonsho incorporates many symbolic motifs found in the Far East. The suspension loop (ryuzo) is formed by two dragon heads and a flame; the upper third contains nipples (nyu), symbols of fertility; and the barren field below (ikenomachi) provides a place for poetry or iconography. The chrysanthemum, a symbol of longevity and happiness, forms the striking surface (shuza). The bonsho may occasionally be heard in the kabuki theatre’s off-stage ensembles.
This bold sound brings to the Japanese people – the voice of Buddha- is even more impressive because of its incredibly thick walls . This bell’ sound and voice of Buddha undoubtedly used to deliver wishes to the temples patrons and followers.