Old Japan Temple Altar Bell - Wooden Buddhist Mokugyo

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Description Vintage Japanese wooden bell used for altar service within a Buddhist temple. Such bells are called mokugyo in Japan where they are used by Buddhist priests during the performance of religious services. The bell is struck over and over in quick succession producing a steady cadence which helps the priest keep time during ritual chants. This wooden bell has seen previous service and the wood is somewhat worn on both sides where the striker (included) has been used. The bell is otherwise in fine condition, though there is a very small crack in the wood at one end of the sound hole (noted in detail photo below). The crack does not, however, appear serious nor does it seem to affect the quality of the sound produced. There is another crack on the bell body which appears firm but which may grow if the bell is much used. We therefore recommmend this bell as a display item suitable for demonstration use only. The bell includes a wooden striker which came with the bell but may not be original to the piece. The striker is in very good condition. This bell produces a very clear and distinct sound. This lovely wooden temple bell dates from the mid Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) or earlier and was acquired in the historic city of Shizuoka, Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji. Size: Height (bottom of bell to top of handle): 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters) Width (side to side along handle): 4.7 inches (12.0 centimeters) Depth: 3.9 inches (10.0 centimeters) Length of striker: 8.2 inches (21.0 centimeters) Combined weight: 11.0 ounces (315 grams) Japanese Buddhist home altars At the start of the long Japanese Edo period (1600-1868) the Shogun, Tokugawa Ieyasu determined that the country of Nippon (Japan) should be closed to the outside world with the exception of a few ports of trade. This was done in an effort to protect Japan from the colonizing forces of the west and in particular to isolate the Japanese people from the influences of Christianity, which the Shogun viewed as a threat to the principals of Confucianism upon which his rule did depend. Over time this fear of Christianity grew such that laws were eventually passed requiring the Japanese to annually swear devotion to Buddhism. Fearing the threat and penalties of Christian belief, many Japanese families began to erect small Buddhist altars within their home as further proof of their loyalty to Buddhism. These home altars or butsudan as they are called were commonly outfitted with religious implements such as bells, incense burners, candlesticks and statues such that they might resemble Buddhist temples in miniature. Specialist crafts developed for the sole purpose of manufacturing beautiful wooden butsudan and their associated articles of worship. Over time, the practice of maintaining a home altar lost it's original purpose of publicly expressing one's loyalty to Buddhism and instead became an accepted and important household function, particularly with families acting as the head of the household name (usually the home of the first born son). Far from being forgotten as a relic of Japan's past, the butsudan is today an important household fixture which may receive daily attention by family members who consider the altar to symbolically enshrine the spirits and memories of departed ancestors. item code: R1S3-0005605 category code: (nipponrin) (butsudannomono) ship code: G6

Category: People
Uploaded: July 14th, 2008 @ 12:41 pm
Author: theoldtokaido

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