Vintage Japanese Temple Bell/Gong - 1940s Showa Era (25D-118)

Vintage Japanese Temple Bell/Gong (SKU 25D-118)

Showa-era style bronze temple bell with finely cast relief and original silk cord tassel

This vintage Japanese gong is a miniature rendition of a bonshō, the great bells found in Buddhist temples across Japan. Cast in heavy bronze with a rich dark patina, it features traditional raised bosses, floral roundels, and crisp kanji inscriptions arranged in framed panels that echo full-scale temple bells. The upper rim is encircled by a scrolling foliate border, adding a refined decorative touch.

A sculpted dragon-form suspension loop crowns the piece, threaded with its original braided cord and twin tassels for hanging or display. Likely produced in the mid-Showa era as a ceremonial or commemorative gong, it offers both sculptural presence and a resonant tone when struck, making it ideal for use in meditation, as a butsudan altar bell, or as a distinctive Japanese accent in any interior.

• Origin: Japan
• Era: Showa period, vintage
• Material: Cast bronze with textile cord and tassels
• Use: Small temple-style gong for meditation, altar, or decorative display
• Features: Miniature Japanese temple bell (bonshō) form; raised bosses and floral medallions; dragon-shaped hanging loop; kanji inscriptions; original braided cord and tassels; warm aged patina
• Dimensions: 4" Diameter x 7"H
• Condition: Excellent vintage condition with light wear and patina appropriate to age

A characterful Showa-era Japanese gong that brings the tranquil presence of a temple bell into an intimate, displayable scale.

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.