Japanese Buddhist Temple Bell from Shinagawa Honko-ji This is an impressive Japanese Buddhist temple bell, or Bonshō (梵鐘), associated with Honko-ji Temple (本光寺) in Shinagawa, Tokyo. One of the most important features of this bell is the substantial historical inscription cast into its body. Although the inscription has suffered from considerable wear over the years, the main wording remains visible and can be read as: 「品川本光寺」 「梵鐘再鋳記念」 「為開宗七百年報恩」 「昭和二十九年陽春」 The final date, Shōwa 29 (昭和二十九年), corresponds to 1954. The inscription therefore provides unusually clear historical information about the bell: it was recast as a commemorative bell in 1954, in connection with the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Buddhist tradition established by Nichiren. The wording 「為開宗七百年報恩」 can be understood as expressing gratitude or the repayment of religious gratitude in connection with the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Buddhist tradition. The combination of the temple name, the reason for recasting, and the precise year makes this inscription particularly interesting from a historical and collecting perspective. Honko-ji Temple – 本光寺 Honko-ji is a historic temple in Minami-Shinagawa, Tokyo. The temple has a long history dating back to the medieval period and has been closely associated with the history of the Hokke Buddhist tradition in Shinagawa. The inscription on this bell therefore gives the object a direct connection to the history of a specific historic temple, rather than being simply an anonymous decorative bell. Traditional Japanese Bonshō Design The bell has a traditional Japanese temple-bell form with a substantial cast-metal body. The upper section is decorated with numerous raised studs known as 乳 (chi), a characteristic feature of Japanese temple bells. The body is divided into carefully structured panels by raised horizontal and vertical bands. Within these sections are decorative circular motifs, geometric elements, and the vertical inscription panels. At the top is an elaborately modelled Ryūzu (竜頭), the dragon-shaped suspension fitting traditionally used to hang a Japanese temple bell. The overall design is restrained and architectural, but the numerous raised details give the bell a strong three-dimensional character. The surface has developed a deep dark brown-black patina, with areas of warmer reddish-brown metal showing through. Small areas of greenish oxidation can also be seen, adding to its naturally aged appearance. Historical Significance of the Inscription The most interesting aspect of this bell is arguably not simply its age, but the fact that its history is recorded directly on the object itself. The inscription identifies: The temple: Shinagawa Honko-ji (品川本光寺) The event: Commemoration of the recasting of the temple bell (梵鐘再鋳記念) The occasion: In connection with the 700th anniversary of the founding of the Buddhist tradition (為開宗七百年報恩) The date: Spring of Shōwa 29, 1954 (昭和二十九年陽春) Although parts of the inscription are worn, the remaining characters are sufficiently visible to make the historical context of the bell particularly compelling. For collectors, dated inscriptions of this kind are valuable because they provide information directly connected to the object's history rather than relying solely on stylistic estimation. About Japanese Temple Bells Japanese Bonshō (梵鐘) have traditionally been suspended in temple bell towers and struck with a wooden Shumoku (撞木). Unlike Western bells, Japanese temple bells are normally struck from the outside. The sound is characterized by a deep tone and a long-lasting resonance. Historically, temple bells were used to: announce the time call monks and worshippers mark religious ceremonies accompany Buddhist practice create an atmosphere of meditation and contemplation The lingering sound of a temple bell has long been associated with Buddhist ideas of mindfulness, purification and spiritual reflection. Traditional Japanese temple bells are therefore valued not only as functional religious implements, but also as examples of Japanese casting craftsmanship and Buddhist cultural heritage. New Water-Buffalo Striker Included A new Shumoku (撞木) is included with the bell. The new striker is made using water-buffalo material and provides a suitable accompanying piece for displaying and sounding the bell. The striker is new, rather than an original historical accessory to the bell. Condition The bell has a strongly aged appearance and shows considerable surface wear consistent with age and previous use. The inscription has become worn in places, although the main characters remain visible. The surface also shows variations in colour, oxidation, small marks, scratches and areas of accumulated patina. These signs of age are part of the present character of the object and should be appreciated as evidence of its history. Please examine all photographs carefully, particularly the detailed photographs of the inscription and surface, as they form an important part of the condition description. Display and Collecting This bell would be particularly suitable for collectors of: Japanese Buddhist art Japanese temple objects Japanese bronze and cast-metal works Buddhist history Japanese religious artefacts traditional Japanese interiors historically inscribed objects It can also be appreciated purely as a sculptural and decorative object, thanks to its strong silhouette, elaborate suspension fitting, raised decorative elements and beautifully aged dark patina. What makes this bell particularly appealing is the combination of its traditional Japanese temple-bell form, beautifully aged surface, and, most importantly, its historically informative inscription. The words 「品川本光寺」 and 「梵鐘再鋳記念」 directly connect the bell to Honko-ji Temple in Shinagawa, while 「昭和二十九年陽春」 provides a precise date of spring 1954. Although the inscription has become worn with time, the fact that the bell itself preserves the record of its recasting and the religious occasion for which it was made gives it a distinctive historical character. For collectors of Japanese Buddhist art, temple objects and inscribed Japanese metalwork, this is a particularly characterful piece that brings together religious history, traditional casting and the passage of time in a single object. Height 18.5 cm Width 9.7 cm Depth 10.1 cm Weight 1390 g Stick Height 20.6 cm Condition: There is no major damage. However, as it is a used item, there are some damages such as scratches, scuffs, dullness, peeling, fading, wear and tear, dents, discoloration. It is a delicate item, so please handle it with care. It has been stored at home. Please see the many photos provided. Atention: The items listed for sale are all used collectibles. Please consider them to have signs of aging, such as stains, scratches, scuffs, tears, discoloration, fading, fraying, and changes in thread color. We will post as many photos as possible to make it easy to understand. As these are old items, we appreciate your understanding before making a purchase. Shipping: The lot will be carefully packaged and shipped from Japan. We will use either DHL or FedEx for a safe and secure transportation. It usually takes about 2-3 weeks for delivery, and the package will be shipped with a tracking number. Import duties, taxes, VAT, and any other charges are not included in the item price and shipping cost. Please check your country's import duties before bidding. 062520200904