Important Cultural Property
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)

Bronze, gilted
H 17.9, D of rim 6.1
China, Tang dynasty　8th century

Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_0
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  • 2024/02/19
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_1
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  • 2024/02/19
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_2
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  • H060506
  • 2024/02/19
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_4
  • D017668
  • 1997/03/11
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_5
  • D009755
  • 1994/08/09
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_6
  • D009757
  • 1994/08/09
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_7
  • D009759
  • 1994/08/09
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  • D009762
  • 1994/08/09
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_9
  • D004167
  • 1992/07/02
Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_10
  • D000826
  • 1989/08/03
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Gokorei (Bell with five-pronged handle) with images of four Myōō (Four Vidya-rajas)_12
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  • A024960
  • 1997/03/11
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  • A024575
  • 1994/08/09
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  • A024576
  • 1994/08/09
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  • A024577
  • 1994/08/09
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  • A024578
  • 1994/08/09
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  • A023639
  • 1992/08/05
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  • 1992/08/05
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  • 1992/07/02
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  • 1989/08/03
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  • A023646
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  • A023648
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  • A023649
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  • A023651
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More

Four of the Wisdom Kings (Myōō) appear on the body of this five-pronged bell, their sculptural forms imbued with a sense of vivid presence. The modeling of the figures and the sharpness to the prongs distinguish this work from the vajra bells that would be produced in Japan. Total mastery over the technique of bronze casting is reflected in the spectacular level of detail achieved even in the faces of each figure. A horse above the heads of one of the Wisdom Kings identifies Batō Myōō, but the identities of the other deities are hard to determine.
 
MIMOTO ShusakuEnglish by Mary Lewine 
Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, p.340, no.122. 

Kongō-rei ritual bells with designs of Buddhist images such as four guardian deities and Myō'ō are called "Butsuzō-rei" (bell with Buddhist images). The bell with a five-pronged handle (goko-rei type) introduced in this article bears a cast design of four Myō'ō images. This bell is considerably decorated: the space between the Myō'ō images is decorated with nanako patterns and flowers rendered with line-carvings, and the handle is decorated with various ornamental belts and complex lotus designs. Each prong has its sub-prong and is connected to the mouth of an ornamental dragon. These modeling features reflect the characteristics of butsuzō-rei bells of the Song dynasty in China. The gold plating over the bell is well preserved. This bell is an excellent example of its kind. There is a square hole between the central prong and one of the side prongs, which was probably used for containing Buddhist relics. 
Masterpieces of Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1993, p.121, no.95. 

Accession Number 731-0
Category Decorative Arts
Bibliography Buddhist Art Paradise: Jewels of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 2021.7, 354p. Pegasus and the heavenly horses: thundering hoofs on the Silk Road. Nara National Museum, 2008, 255p. (Japanese) Ultimate sanctuaries: the aesthetics of Buddhist relic worship. Nara National Museum, 2001, 263p. (Japanese) MYŌŌ: Buddhist deities of wrath and love. Nara National Museum, 2000, 209p. (Japanese) Masterpieces from the Collection of the Nara National Museum. Nara National Museum, 1997, 350p. (Japanese) Buddhist images of East Asia. Nara National Museum, 1996, 306p. (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) Sources of Japanese Buddhist art. Nara National Museum, 1978, 403p. (Japanese)

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