A temple bell (photo / Joshua williams)
*Doooooooooonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng* goes the temple bell. It’s a sound that reaches into the soul with deep humming vibrations. The large metal bells, called bonjyou, have been used in Japanese Buddhist temples almost as long as temples have existed within the country.
The bells vary in size, with the biggest dwarfing people standing next to them. They are typically housed in their own special outdoor chamber, and hit with a large wooden hammer or log that is swung on ropes. The bells are rung in the morning and evening to help indicate the time, and usually rung 18, 36, or 108 times. It is believed that the worries in peoples’ hearts total 108.
Some temple bells that were made as far back as the Nara Period (710-794 CE) still exist. However, it is believed that around 40,000 bells were melted down during the anti-Buddhist movement at the beginning of the Meiji Restoration (largely around 1868-1871) and the metal shortages of World War II (1941-45).
Biggest temple bell in Japan
The biggest temple bell in Japan is said to be the bell at Chion-in Temple in Kyoto. It was made in 1636 and weighs 70 tons.
Oldest temple bell in Japan
The Oldest temple bell in Japan is said to be the bell at Myoshinji Temple, also in Kyoto. It was made in 698 CE.
Ringing the Temple bell on New Years at Chion-in
Check out more articles about Kyoto and the Kansai area by the Japan Travel Examiner
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