Bronze bell

This Goryeo dynasty bronze bell formerly belonged to the Itō family in the Obi domain of Hyūga province (present-day Miyazaki). In the sixth year of the Kaei era (1848), the bronze bell was unearthed from the grounds below the east wall of the main castle tower by Itō Suketomo (1812–74), the 13th domain lord. Buddhism flourished in the Korean peninsula since ancient times and many bells were made; later Japan followed suit. However, there are a number of differences between the Korean bells and Japanese bells. Korean bells were made using the lost-wax casting technique. This technique enabled more flexibility in the decorations than the Japanese sōgata mold technique. Accordingly, while Korean bells have a variety of designs, most Japanese bronze bells have a design known as “crossed band design” (kesadasuki-mon). This bell also has the same characteristics. At its top is a cylinder(yo) crowned with seven small balls. The design on the cylinder surface is divided into three parts by two bands of continuous motifs. In front of the cylinder, there is a dragon holding a gem on a hat-shaped tray in its mouth and another jewel with its left front paw.

The dragon’s flaming wings stretching from its shoulders cover the lower part of the cylinder. An iron ring to hang the bell is placed around the dragon’s neck and makes a reverse U-shape. On the top and the bottom of the bell body, there are bands featuring a Chinese plant motif. In addition, the bell body has the partition for inscriptions, bell pedestal decorated with a lotus pattern, and space for inscriptions. In the space for inscriptions, it is engraved: produced in the sixth year of the Chengan era (1201). The era name was used by the Jin dynasty (1115–1234) of China, to which the Goryeo paid tribute. In-between the partition for inscriptions at the bottom half of the bell, four deities represent the Buddhist realm where deities dance under the crescent moon. Since the pre-modern period, this elegant bell with inscriptions has attracted keen attention of the scholars. The bell is introduced in various books, including the Sokuken Ikō written by Yasui Sokuken (1799–1876), a Confucian scholar and Bankei Shishō by Ōtsuki Bankei (1801–78).

— Museum description: Kyushu National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.