Suzu (bell)

Template:Nihongo are round, hollow Japanese Shinto bells that contains pellets that sound when agitated. They are somewhat like a jingle bell in form, though the materials produce a coarse, rolling sound. Template:Transliteration come in many sizes, ranging from tiny ones on good luck charms (called Template:Nihongo) to large ones at shrine entrances. Template:Transliteration are, however, classified as small bells, since big bells are referred to as Template:Transliteration.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref> The former is associated with Shinto and shrines while the latter is related to Buddhist temples and ceremonies.<ref name=":0" />

At Shinto shrines, large Template:Transliteration drape over entrances, as it is said that ringing them calls Template:Transliteration, allowing one to acquire positive power and authority, while repelling evil. Handheld clustered Template:Transliteration, similar to jingle bells, are used musically at Shinto ceremonies. There are ceremonies, for instance, where female performers dance with Template:Transliteration bells such as those with some sort of short blade at their center.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The bell's cool tinkles are also considered psychological air-conditioning for the summer since their clear ringing is considered cool and refreshing.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In Edo Castle, the larger corridor to the Template:Transliteration, which only the Template:Transliteration was allowed to enter, was called Template:Nihongo3, derived from the ringing of the Template:Transliteration bells to announce his entrance.

Template:Transliteration were traditionally made by metal craft artisans. With the onset of industrialisation, they were made by machines. The ones produced by hand however are still considered of higher quality due to the richer and more melodious sound.

• Suzu MET DP353272.jpg

  17th century Template:Transliteration from Miwa, Nara Prefecture, Japan, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

• 浦安ノ舞 (後ろ姿).jpg

  Template:Transliteration with Template:Transliteration bells in her right hand

• Japanese shrine Bell01.jpg

  Template:Transliteration hanging under the eaves of a Shinto shrine

Other references

Template:Transliteration is also a female name in Japan, meaning "bell" or "tin". The kanji for Template:Transliteration is often used to form a compound name, such as the well-known surname Suzuki, meaning "bell tree" – the bell with the thick rope hanging down almost to the floor and looking like a tree trunk.

See also

• Template:Transliteration
• Template:Transliteration