Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)

Bronze, gilted
H 24.5, D of rim 7.5
Kamakura period　13th century

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)
  • D000820
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_0
  • D000820
  • 1990/02/14
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_1
  • D000822
  • 1989/07/25
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_2
  • D000819
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_3
  • D000823
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_4
  • D000825
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_5
  • A023658
  • 1990/02/14
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_6
  • A023663
  • 1989/07/25
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_7
  • A021585
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_8
  • A021586
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_9
  • A021588
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_10
  • A023659
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_11
  • A023660
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_12
  • A023661
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_13
  • A023662
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_14
  • A023664
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_15
  • A023665
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_16
  • A023666
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_17
  • A023667
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of Shiten'nō (Four Deva Kings)_18
  • A023668
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Features of this ritual utensil have precedents in five-pronged vajra bells from Tang dynasty China, such as the alternating guardian king and three-pronged vajra pattern on the body, as well as the top prongs with reverse-pointing spikes emerging from the mouths of dragons. In addition to the fact that the bell and vajra portions were cast separately, the four closed-mouthed faces on the grip of the implement also indicate that it was produced in the Kamakura period. 
Object label 

Accession Number 694-0
Category Decorative Arts
Bibliography Illustrated Catalogue of the Collection of Nara National Museum: Buddhist Implements. Nara National Museum, 1992, 121p. (Japanese) Sources of Japanese Buddhist art. Nara National Museum, 1978, 403p. (Japanese)

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