Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)

Bronze, gilted
D 16.7, D of rim 6.6
Heian period　12th century

H054186

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_0

H054186
2021/04/28

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_1

H054187
2021/04/28

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_2

H054188
2021/04/28

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_3

H054189
2021/04/28

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_4

D000818
1989/07/25

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_5

A023682
1989/08/03

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_6

A023678
1989/07/25

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_7

A023680
1989/07/25

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_8

A023681

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_9

A023684

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle)_10

A023685

The handle of this vajra bell extends into a pestle with five prongs to form a five-pronged vajra. In esoteric Buddhism (mikkyō), the practitioner rings bells like this one to communicate directly with Buddhist deities. The bell is distinguished by the round slope at the top of its body, the gentle flare at its base, and the bold expression of the demon-eye motif at the middle bulge of the handle.

MIMOTO ShusakuEnglish by Mary Lewine
Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, p.340, no.124.

Accession Number	634-0
Category	Decorative Arts
Bibliography	Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, 354p. Masterpieces from the Collection of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1997, 350p. (Japanese) Applied art of Japanese esoteric Buddhism. Nara National Museum, 1992, 286p. (Japanese) Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Buddhist Implements. Nara National Museum, 1992, 121p. (Japanese)