Bronze bell (Dotaku); Dotaku- Bronze Bell with so-called 'crossing bands' (in Japanese Kesadasuki) decoration. Fine natural green patina; no repairs, in excellent condition. Excavated at Chiwa-Yama, Yashu-gun, Ohmi Province (now Shiga Prefecture) in the 14th year of Meiji, or 1881 A.D. This was on the 14 bells found, the largest of which is now in the Tokyo national Museum. with a box authentication of Professor Sueji Umehara. Modern wooden storage box has authentication by Professor Umchara.

Ritual Bell (Dōtaku), 1st century BCE-1st century CE

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Bronzeexpand_more

The William Hood Dunwoody Fundexpand_more  64.1

On View in Gallery 205expand_more

Among the most impressive examples of early bronze casting in Japan are large, bronze bells like this one, known as dōtaku. Metallurgy, together with wet-rice cultivation, was probably first introduced to Japan by a new wave of immigrants from the Korean peninsula around 200–300 BCE. Although dōtaku resemble Chinese bells in overall shape, most lack musical resonance because of the thinness of their casting. Instead, they seem to have been ritual objects and symbols of political authority. This bell was one of fourteen excavated in 1881 on Mount Ōiwa in Shiga Prefecture.

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Details
Title
Ritual Bell (Dōtaku)
Role
Artist
Accession Number
64.1
Curator Approved

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Bronze bell (Dotaku); Dotaku- Bronze Bell with so-called 'crossing bands' (in Japanese Kesadasuki) decoration. Fine natural green patina; no repairs, in excellent condition. Excavated at Chiwa-Yama, Yashu-gun, Ohmi Province (now Shiga Prefecture) in the 14th year of Meiji, or 1881 A.D. This was on the 14 bells found, the largest of which is now in the Tokyo national Museum. with a box authentication of Professor Sueji Umehara. Modern wooden storage box has authentication by Professor Umchara.