Vintage Japanese Bell, 1946 - 1965 (Mid Showa) | SKU: 26M-601

Japanese Kane Buddhist Temple Bell | Meditation Bell & Wabi-Sabi Decor Accent, 1946-1965 (Mid Showa), SKU 26M-601

A hand-cast iron kane bell from a Japanese Buddhist altar, presented on its original purple silk cushion with a vibrant red ceremonial tassel.

A kane is a traditional Japanese Buddhist bell used in temple and household altar rituals to mark the beginning and end of prayers, to summon focus during meditation, and to honor ancestral spirits. Cast from iron in a distinctive stacked-gourd form -- a shape associated with spiritual abundance and auspicious symbolism in Japanese Buddhist iconography -- this kane displays the deep, warm patina of decades of devotional use. The top half forms a smooth dome crowned by a sturdy iron loop for hanging or lifting, while the lower body swells outward in a rounded bell-shaped skirt. The underside reveals a long, narrow sound slot, the opening that allows the bell's resonant tone to carry during sutra chanting and rites at the butsudan (home altar). The surface shows beautifully aged bronze-brown tones with natural oxidation throughout, consistent with authentic mid-century Japanese religious craft. A silk red tassel with a gold-accented keeper bead adds a striking ceremonial flourish, and the bell rests on a quilted purple silk zabuton cushion -- both included -- lending the ensemble an air of quiet temple dignity.

In a modern home, this kane bell makes a compelling meditation and mindfulness tool -- simply strike the rim with a soft mallet to signal the start of a breathing or yoga session, filling the room with a grounding, resonant tone. Its sculptural silhouette and rich patina also make it a standout living room accent or shelf display piece in a Japandi style or wabi-sabi aesthetic interior. Collectors of Japanese antique religious items and Japanophiles will find it an especially meaningful gift -- a rare, tangible connection to Japan's living Buddhist tradition that doubles as an art object of quiet beauty.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: 1946-1965 (Mid Showa)
• Material: Cast iron with natural aged patina; red silk tassel with gold-accented bead; purple silk cushion
• Use: Buddhist ritual bell (kane) used at butsudan home altars and temple ceremonies for prayer, sutra chanting, and meditation
• Modern Use: Meditation and mindfulness bell; living room or shelf accent in a wabi-sabi or Japandi decor scheme; unique gift for collectors of Japanese antiques or Japanophiles
• Features: Stacked-gourd cast iron body; iron loop crown for hanging; long narrow sound slot on underside; deep warm patina with natural oxidation; red ceremonial tassel with gold-accented keeper bead; purple silk zabuton cushion included
• Dimensions: 6" Diameter
• Condition: Excellent -- age-consistent patina and surface oxidation throughout; no cracks or losses; tassel and cushion intact

A resonant piece of Japanese antique Buddhist craft -- this kane bell carries decades of temple tradition into any modern meditation space or curated interior.

We use professional studio lighting to highlight the natural character of the wood. As a result, the tone may appear slightly warmer than under natural daylight.

All vintage and antique items are sold as-is. Each piece may exhibit signs of age, including scratches, wear, or minor imperfections. These are not considered defects but natural evidence of the item’s authenticity and age.