Antique Japanese bronze temple bell known as a “bonsho”, with a handle of opposing dragon heads called Ryuzu protecting a sacred Buddhist jewel called Hoju. Protrusions called “chi chi” or “nyu” to improve resonance of sound, the “tsuki-za” striking panels, with lotus shaped “tsukiza”.
Bonshō (Japanese: 梵鐘, Buddhist bells), also known as tsurigane (釣り鐘, hanging bells) or ōgane (大鐘, great bells) are bells found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan, used to summon the monks to prayer and to demarcate periods of time. Rather than containing a clapper, bonshō are struck from the outside, using either a handheld mallet or a beam suspended on ropes. With old repair.
Age: Meiji Era (1868-1912)
Dimensions: 21" High by 12" Diameter