are round, hollow Japanese

Shinto Shinto () is a religion from Japan. Classified as an East Asian religion by scholars of religion, its practitioners often regard it as Japan's indigenous religion and as a nature religion. Scholars sometimes call its practitioners ''Shintois ...

bell A bell is a directly struck idiophone percussion instrument. Most bells have the shape of a hollow cup that when struck vibrates in a single strong strike tone, with its sides forming an efficient resonator. The strike may be made by an inter ...

s that contains pellets that sound when agitated. They are somewhat like a

jingle bell A jingle bell or sleigh bell is a type of bell which produces a distinctive 'jingle' sound, especially in large numbers. They find use in many areas as a percussion instrument, including the classic sleigh bell sound and morris dancing. The ...

in form, though the materials produce a coarse, rolling sound. come in many sizes, ranging from tiny ones on good luck charms (called ) to large ones at shrine entrances. are, however, classified as small bells, since big bells are referred to as . The former is associated with Shinto and shrines while the latter is related to Buddhist temples and ceremonies. At

shrines, large drape over entrances, as it is said that ringing them calls , allowing one to acquire positive power and authority, while repelling evil. Handheld clustered , similar to jingle bells, are used musically at Shinto ceremonies. There are ceremonies, for instance, where female performers dance with bells such as those with some sort of short blade at their center. The bell's cool tinkles are also considered psychological air-conditioning for the summer since their clear ringing is considered cool and refreshing. In

Edo Castle is a flatland castle that was built in 1457 by Ōta Dōkan in Edo, Toshima District, Musashi Province. In modern times it is part of the Tokyo Imperial Palace in Chiyoda, Tokyo and is therefore also known as . Tokugawa Ieyasu established the ...

, the larger corridor to the , which only the was allowed to enter, was called , derived from the ringing of the bells to announce his entrance. were traditionally made by metal craft artisans. With the onset of industrialisation, they were made by machines. The ones produced by hand however are still considered of higher quality due to the richer and more melodious sound.

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is also a female name in Japan, meaning "bell" or "tin". The kanji for is often used to form a compound name, such as the well-known surname

Suzuki is a Japan, Japanese multinational corporation headquartered in Minami-ku, Hamamatsu, Japan. Suzuki manufactures automobiles, motorcycles, All-terrain vehicle, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), outboard motor, outboard marine engines, wheelchairs ...

, meaning "bell tree" - the bell with the thick rope hanging down almost to the floor and looking like a tree trunk.

References

Shinto religious objects Bells (percussion) Japanese metalwork Japanese words and phrases Shinto in Japan Amulets Talismans Exorcism in Shinto {{Shinto-stub

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See also

References