Summer Sounds Of Japanese Wind Bells

26 Jul 2007 Category: Arts & Crafts, Events & Exhibitions, Features, Japan

Summer Sounds Of Japanese Wind Bells

Delightful chimes! Apart from its cute looks, this delicate "Haruna" glass wind bell produced in the Gunma woods brings you some sweet sounds.

Every July, crowds flock to the “Kawasaki Taishi Wind Bell Market” in the Kanagawa prefecture for the lovely sounds of Japanese wind bells. Then, these peculiar market grounds echo with the delicate, soothing sounds of the 2,500 artful bells in over 800 different shapes and colours - intermingling with the cheered up folks who have come from all over the country. PingMag, of course, took a stroll over the market.

Written by Ryoko
Translated by Rie

Japanese wind bells can be a super nice distraction during the hot and humid summer in Japan. They are either hung from eaves or window frames around gardens and produce sweet sounds whenever the slightest breeze comes. Prepare yourself for a wide variety of wind-bells that represent the diverse traditions of the local areas they were produced in:

Many crowds attending the “Kawasaki Taishi Wind Bell Market” in Kanagawa.

“Hanagasa” wind bell and “Tsugaru Vidro” wind bell from the Aomori prefecture:

Let’s get first to the “Hanagasa” wind bell from Aomori: At the “Nebuta Festival” held in the Aomori prefecture each summer, the participants wear matching yukata, the summer cotton kimono, and bamboo hats, while they stroll around downtown, dancing in the streets. See in the picture below who these wind bells are each stringed from a tiny bamboo hat, which is a typical piece of folk craft representing Aomori.

Colourful, as usual! “Hanagasa” wind bells from Aomori. Imagine their sounds like their decor looks like….

These are the “Tsugaru Vidro” wind-bells, also from Aomori. Often in blue, or green, like a cooling summer breeze.

“Shinchu” wind bell from Toyama and “Yamagata” wind bell from Yamagata:

Made in Toyama, the traditional technique of the “Takaoka Shinchu” wind bell ensures the ultimate quality in terms of texture and the metal’s lustre. Next to it you see the “Yamagata” wind bell made from iron. Thanks to its modern design they became pretty popular.


“Shinchu” wind bell from Toyama.

Nice design! Uniquely shaped “Yamagata” wind bell.

“Oden Mari” wind bells from Akita:

“Oden Mari” wind bells from Akita with a temari, handmade thread ball, on top.

“Kamo” wind bell from Shizuoka:

The “Kamo” wind bell is produced near Izu, which is known as a natural source of silicate, an essential glass ingredient. No wonder that the glass industry is very active there. Due to their rather thick glass, these handmade wind bells from Nishi-Izu can withstand even strong winds. Another pleasant extra: Each bell produces a unique sound.

Delicate “Kamo” wind bells from Shizuoka.

“Edo Kiriko” wind bell from Tokyo and “Kise” glass wind bell from Osaka:

The “Edo Kiriko” wind bell features a delicate and beautiful carving. In contrast, the “Kise” glass wind bell from Osaka rather gives you a sense of tenderness. It is carved into a layer of coloured glass over a transparent one. The theme of the “Edo Kiriko” wind bell is “Dream and Romance”…


Resembles my grannies glass inventory: “Edo Kiriko” wind bell from Tokyo.

Fragile leaves: “Kise” glass wind bell from Osaka.

“Ruri” wind bell from Nara:

Thanks to the Silk Road, the European glass culture was brought over to Japan. Craftsmen in the historic city of Nara, near Kyoto, then developed glass blowing techniques and were soon able to make glass from the semi-precious stone ruri, meaning lapis lazuli. The makers of the “Ruri” wind bells work carefully to ensure the same shimmering qualities of the prized glass of old times.

Candy coloured “Ruri” wind bells from Nara. Just cute!

Sweet bells:

The ringing sound of each individual wind bell naturally depends on the wind strength and its continuing rhythm. We call this sound yuragi in Japanese, which basically means “fluctuation.” But it can also mean “the babbling of a river” or “the singing of an insect.” How poetic!

Listen here:

“Bamboo” wind bell from Kyoto:

These stylish bamboo wind bells resemble calabashes.

“Shigaraki” ceramic wind bell from Shiga and “Sannoh” ceramic wind bell from Miyazaki:


To tell the truth, the “Shigaraki ceramic wind bell from Shiga looks a little chubby.

The “Sannoh” ceramic wind bell from Miyazaki features a cute resident. Look closer.

“Fugu” (puffer fish) wind bells from Yamaguchi:

As if the “Fugu” wind bells from the Yamaguchi prefecture would swim lazily through the air.

“Swastika” (Buddhist cross) wind bells from Kagoshima:

Interesting shape! “Swastika” wind bells from Kagoshima.

“Agano” ceramic wind bells from Fukuoka:

The “Agano” ceramic wind bells produce a quiet sound - and a beautiful colour.

“Imari” ceramic wind bell from Saga:

These are “Imari” ceramic wind bells from Imari in the Saga prefecture. Though Saga is famous for Arita ceramic, the Imari ceramics are surely no less beautiful. The wind bells introduced here look rather staid. But normally, Imari ceramic wind bells are decorated with plenty of gold or red colours.

Fireflies painted on “Imari” ceramic wind bells from Saga. Fireflies live only near clear water and they emit a warm light during night as you can see on this wind bell.

Looks more like chinaware rather than a wind bell.

A beautiful silent mountain range scenery - on a wind bell.

“Ryukyu” glass wind bell from Okinawa:

The “Ryukyu” glass wind bells from Okinawa are also known as velvet wind bells, hence the colour. Ryukyu glass has a 100-year history and wind bells, fine glass lampshades and glass boxes are manufactured of it. A while ago, the Ryukyu glass products were made of recycled empty bottles. But nowadays, only Okinawan native soda glass is used in order to ensure a higher quality.

Made with a fine technique and equal spirit: Brilliant coloured “Ryukyu” glass wind bells from Okinawa.

So, what has been your favourite wind bell? These cute bells with their refreshing sounds add a nice flavour to the hot summer in Japan. That’s it for today with an image of Kawasaki Taishi’s original “Daruma” wind bell. You know what a daruma is, don’t you? Take it easy then!

Kawasaki Taishi’s original “Daruma” wind bell.

65 Comments

  1. My mother would love those things.

    Beautiful.

    Posted by: Photo Japan on July 26th, 2007 at 7:59 pm

  2. great series of wind bell! I can’t decide which one is the best

    Posted by: heri on July 26th, 2007 at 10:32 pm

  3. Daruma Rocks!

    Posted by: Andrei Sarusi on July 27th, 2007 at 12:26 am

  4. When the wind blow, a sweet sound comes!
    Is the variety of sounds as many as the form & color of Wind Chimes?

    Posted by: Paavani on July 27th, 2007 at 1:34 am

  5. Hahaha… I was thinking that my moms would love these also. Actually I would be a couple if I had my own house. I don’t think my apt neighbors would like them to much.

    Posted by: MediaMisfit on July 27th, 2007 at 2:10 am

  6. i loved the daruma windbell!

    Posted by: daniela on July 27th, 2007 at 2:39 am

  7. I bought a furin a year ago but didn’t know what type it was. Now I know it’s an Imari (or at least a lookalike)!

    I hang it indoors next to the balcony door so I can turn it “on” and “off.” :)

    Posted by: Clay on July 27th, 2007 at 3:02 am

  8. I love windchimes.. and ohh I wish I could have visited the fesival when I visited Japan last.
    You guys are lucky to have visited it!! ;D

    Posted by: Mindy on July 27th, 2007 at 2:18 pm

  9. where I can find such a charming windchimes in EU? have to go to Japan…

    Posted by: tobto on July 28th, 2007 at 5:28 pm

  10. lovely photos

    fuurin . . . a word that needs to be pronounced carefully

    Posted by: camera-otoko on July 28th, 2007 at 8:45 pm

  11. A million beautiful sounds, like musical little birds.

    Thank you for writing this article. It is a nice view of so many kinds of pretty and pretty sounding bells.

    Posted by: JB on August 3rd, 2007 at 2:08 am

  12. I love the Candy coloured “Ruri” wind bells from Nara…

    Posted by: REUBENMILLER on August 8th, 2007 at 7:15 am

  13. cute!

    Posted by: Anonymous on August 31st, 2007 at 2:11 pm

  14. im makng a ceramic wind bell at schooll

    Posted by: iman on September 10th, 2007 at 8:11 am

  15. I NEED THE HISTORY OF WIND BELLS!!!!! NOT THESE STUPID PICTURES..get a life!

    Posted by: ME! on September 24th, 2007 at 1:52 am

  16. Wind bells are sighn of Japanese summer. That atmosphere is only in Japan..

    Posted by: Yuu on January 6th, 2008 at 7:57 pm

  17. Wonderful!!! I like every one!

    Posted by: Silvia on January 20th, 2008 at 11:02 pm

  18. The ryukyu glass is beautiful…

    Posted by: okinawa on December 9th, 2008 at 12:15 pm

  19. [...] to coolness. The sound of coolness is the furin, the windbell made of either metal or glass. Hang it in a window or on your balcony and enjoy its tinkling sound [...]

    Posted by: Japan Navigator » Blog Archive » Ten ways to beat “Natsubate,” Summer Fatigue on May 23rd, 2009 at 12:26 am

  20. i like the last one,specail.

    Posted by: Replica Designer Handbags on July 9th, 2009 at 2:17 pm

  21. Hi love your Blowing in the wind bells. Have you a stockist in uk.
    Yours Truly

    Sarah

    Posted by: Sarah on January 8th, 2010 at 3:15 am

  22. [...] bells that are made in Japan, then you should check out this wonderful article by pingmag on the Summer Sounds Of Japanese Wind Bells. Tagged as: Japan, [...]

    Posted by: alafista.com - A Fusion of Japan's Otaku and Popular Culture on April 17th, 2010 at 11:08 am

  23. I love these bells. I’m actually trying to learn how to make some myself, but I don’t think I could take up glass blowing :)

    Posted by: Kimi on July 19th, 2010 at 1:19 pm

  24. Hello,

    Anyone have an idea how the bells can be made not to ring tumultuously when it’s windy, especially at night — like the bamboo cages which will blow sideways and keep the bell itslf from swinging.

    Thanks,

    Rich

    Posted by: Rich on September 12th, 2010 at 6:24 am

  25. Lovely glass wind bells. Can you kindly give me 3 names and the address of 3 makers of these beautiful glass bells? I
    will prefer the lowest rung of price level. Thank you very much and I will appreciate to hear from you. Sincerely,
    Virginia

    Posted by: Virginia Sarreal on April 25th, 2011 at 10:13 am

  26. Hello, it is me again. I just sent you an inquiry 10 minutes ago. Please cancel that. My husband said he wants the fugo bells from Yamaguchi Prefecture. He likes the one that is painted with stars. May I have the name and address of the maker of that wind bells? They are so beautiful. Thank you and I will appreciate hearing from you.
    Sincerely, …..Virginia

    Posted by: Virginia Sarreal on April 25th, 2011 at 10:27 am

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