Buddhist ritual bell

Object Details

• Label

  This bronze bell was used in the rituals of Esoteric Buddhism, known in Japanese as Mikkyo. The bell was placed at the center and four points of an altar to represent the central Buddha of the Cosmos, Mahavairocana, and four Buddhas associated with the directions north, east, south, and west.

  Elaborate rituals performed by priests were essential to the practice of Mikkyo (literally, "concealed" or "secret" teaching). The complex doctrine of Mikkyo is revealed only to the members of its priesthood.

• Provenance

  Hiyeizen Temple [1]

  To 1903

  Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1903 [2]

  From 1903 to 1919

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1903 [3]

  From 1920

  Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]

  Notes:

  [1] See Curatorial Remark 2, undated folder sheet note. See also, Reserved Bronze List, R.5137, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. Purchased as a set of five, F1903.292-F1903.296.

  [2] See note 1.

  [3] see note 1.

  [4] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

• Collection

  Freer Gallery of Art Collection

• Exhibition History

  Words of Wisdom: Buddhist Calligraphy from Japan (April 1, 2023 to February 25, 2024)

  Buddhist Art (May 9, 1993 to August 9, 2011)

• Previous custodian or owner

  Bunkio Matsuki 松木文恭 (1867-1940) (C.L. Freer source)

  Enryakuji Temple

  Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)

• Origin

  Japan

• Credit Line

  Gift of Charles Lang Freer

• Type

  Ceremonial Object

• Restrictions and Rights

  Usage Conditions Apply

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Keep Exploring

• Related Resources

  collections.si.edu

• Date

  1100s, 1300s

• Name

  Enryakuji Temple, Freer, Charles Lang, Matsuki, Bunkio

• Place

  Japan

• Topic

  Bronze, Rites and ceremonies, Charles Lang Freer collection, Kamakura period (1185 - 1333), Art, Sculpture, Vajra, Japanese Art, Japanese Esoteric Buddhism, Metal-work

• Culture

  Buddhists, Japanese

• Object Type

  Ceremonial objects