Scholar's Objects

Rare Discovery- Historical Bell- -Immediately Useable & Soothing Sound Japanese rare and beautifully cast Buddhist Bronze Temple bell inscribed with the temple name, dated 1765 , and with a remarkable inscribed passage by Jou Rin, a monk, from a Buddhist verse from the "Sutra of Eternal Life." The Inscription can be translated : "If I try to satisfy my countless mundane desires , I will never achieve enlightenment. If I try to fulfill all of my countless dreams, I will certainly fail to come to the illustrious path of perfection. I must become a perfect practitioner of the infinite wealth of dharma. How can I ever achieve the final goal of life and Divine Enlightenment? Signed: Jou Rin ( monk who inscribed the bell) Temple: Saikokuji templ Hizen Arita. Maker: Taniguchi Kichizaburo Dated: November 1765. Dimensions: 18 inches tall and 11 inches diameter and 25 pounds in weight Material: Bronze with a pleasing naturally developed patination- just the way we like to find them. We will include a complimentary striker. Call or email us to reserve it as it is one-of-a-kind. Beautiful deep resonating ring tones await the new owner of this rare signed work of art from old Japan. Its beautiful natural patina makes it an attractive and desirable work of art. This distinctive dragon headed bell handle called ryuzu and remarkable pointed protrusions called chi chi or nyu are crafted by generations old skilled Japanese specialists to improve sound resonance and audio quality - they are unique to Japan's ancient traditions. Two opposing striking panels called Tsuki-za are the raised round areas on the bell where the best and longest sound is achieved. A bell of this size was hung in a neighborhood temple to summon the monks to prayer. A rare and unique survivor, this masterpiece bronze bell emits a pleasant resonating sound guaranteed to please you. We will also include a complimentary hand striker. Unique. Only One. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. History of Japan's temple bells, bonsho : Rather than containing a clapper, bonsho is struck from the outside, using either a handheld mallet or a beam suspended on ropes. Antique Japanese bronze temple bells have a handle of dragon heads called ryuzu, protrusions called chi chi or nyu and to improve resonance of sound, protruding, tsuki-za, striking panels and in some instances possess a mei-bun inscription of the bell's history. Bonsho or Buddhist bells...

Rare one-of-a-kind, beautiful lotus flower design A bronze bellwhich would have been suspended in front of a Shinto shrine worship hall, and struck with a knotted rope to awaken the gods to listen to one’s prayers. This rare dated cast bronze Buddhist chanting bell "waniguchi" is inscribed on its obverse above its attractive lotus flower design with the date June 24, 1705 ( Hoei era year) and depicts the dedication inscription: "made by Nishimura Sakon Muneharu of Kyoto- dedicated to Atago Dai Gongen" . This rare inscribed dedication is of a deity often worshipped and chanted to...

A good antique Islamic Qajar period bronze Arabic armillary (spherical astrolabe), celestial globe, circa 1850. The globe having a graduated ring & standing on four blustered legs, t...

Gracefully mounted on custom black display stand From an old West Coast Buddhist collection and dating to the 18th Century. This is a wonderful example of a genuine Southeast Asian, Thailand bronze...

A pair of bronzed gilt and patinated Thai sculptures on hardwood bases. The exotic figures in an aged Verdi patination with the clothing in gold, early to mid 20th century. The highl...

A one-of-a-kind rare tea ceremony hand caste hand bell discovered from our recent Japanese acquisitions. Seldom seen. This is an extraordinary opportunity to collect and acquir...

In all original very good condition with good weight and traditional form. A bronze Okimono vase of a square wooden water pail with a curious frog cl...

A delightful and finely made antique Japanese Meiji bronze figure of a hedgehog dating between 1868 and 1912. The small figure stands on four feet and is nicely detailed with a good ...

Japan, an attractive serene faced gilt cast copper alloy figure of Kannon (Guanyin) dating to the early Showa period, circa 1940. Traces of original and o...

Stunning example Take a good look at the exceptional green glaze with orange highlights on this bronze vase. It is very fine. In virtually mint condition it is signed on its b...

From our recent Japanese acquisitions A lovely example of a Japanese antique bronze dragon water spout miraculously saved from a temple vessel and dati...

A good antique Islamic Qajar period bronze Persian Arabic armillary (spherical astrolabe), celestial globe, circa 1850. The globe having a graduated ring & standing on four blustered...