This temple bell belongs to Takaraikeyama Ryokenji Temple. Takaraikeyama Ryokenji Temple is an ancient Jodo Shinshu Honganji temple located in Kainan City, Wakayama Prefecture, and is known as the birthplace of Jodo Shinshu in Kishu. Founded in 1476 (Bunmei 8) by a local resident who received teachings from Rennyo Shonin, the temple is located in a scenic location surrounded by the Kii Mountains and the Kii Channel, and will celebrate its 550th anniversary in 2026. The side of the bell is engraved with the words "Hōchizan ryōkenji 寶池山 了賢寺" and "Shō rō 鐘楼 (Bell Tower)." The box is engraved with the words "平成7年4月29日 April 29, 1995," "鐘楼再建記念 Commemorating the Reconstruction of the Bell Tower," and "寶池山 了賢寺 Hōchizan ryōkenji." When struck with a stick, it produces a beautiful, resonant sound. Please enjoy the reverberating sound. Bonshō (梵鐘, Buddhist bells), also known as tsurigane (釣り鐘, hanging bells) or ōgane (大鐘, great bells) are large bells found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan, used to summon the monks to prayer and to demarcate periods of time. (From Wikipedia) Bonshō is also referred to as the "gathering bell (集会鐘, shūeishō)," and it is struck 30 minutes or 1 hour before the start of ceremonies or rituals as a signal for the congregation to assemble. Additionally, to welcome the new year with a fresh mindset by dispelling worldly desires, it is struck 108 times, representing the same number as the worldly desires. Due to its loud sound, Bonshō is also called "艮鐘 geishō" or "奉鐘 hōshō" in some cases. Bell Height 15.5 cm Width 8.8 cm Depth 8.9 cm Weight 700 g Stand Height 23.2 cm Width 17.1 cm Depth 8.0 cm Weight 630 g Stick Height 16.0 cm Condition: The condition is generally good. There are some scratches, stains, discoloration, etc. It has been cleaned moderately. There are also many photos, so please take a look. 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. 122121290113