Category:

Municipally Designated Tangible Cultural Property (Craft)

Title:

Rinkoji dosho

The Bronze Bell of Rinkoji Temple

林光寺銅鐘

No. of features:

One bell

Designated:

February 7, 1975

Location:

Rinkoji Temple, 504 Uetayahon, Nishi Ward

Owner:

The religious juridical person of Rinkoji Temple

Description:

This temple bell, or bonsho, was cast in the September of 1776 by Fujiwara no Masatoki, a member of the Edo-based Nishimura Izuminokami foundry. It escaped being donated for metal during wartime. The piece has a total height of 146.4 centimeters, a bell height of 98 centimeters, and mouth that measures 75 centimeters in diameter. It is a rare example of a specimen with four tsuki-za striking panels. Each striking panel is marked in Siddham script with the name of a buddha associated with a cardinal direction in the Diamond Realm (shihoshibutsu). The names of the Four Heavenly Kings- Shikokuten (east), Zochoten (south), Komokuten (west), and Tamonten (north)- are written beneath.  The middle section of the bell is inscribed with the Mantra of Light, the date of casting, and the temple’s name.   

Associated Texts:

Cultural Properties in Omiya 2., Omiya Municipal Board of Education, 1986.

Please be courteous towards other visitors, worshippers, locals, and the site’s owners/curators when visiting this cultural property.

Inquiries (Japanese only)

Cultural Heritage Preservation Division, Department of Lifelong Learning, Board of Education Secretariat　

TEL: 048-829-1723 FAX: 048-829-1989

https://www.city.saitama.jp/004/005/006/001/017/004/003/p000292.html