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Dorei bells or Tsuchi Suzu are clay bells that have been part of Japanese culture for thousands of years, dating back to the Jomon period 7,00-300 B.C. and have a long tradition in Japan and their sound and purpose have different significance in Japanese life from religion to merely their sound bring joy to the home.

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In Shinto shrines bells are rung before attending to Kami (God) and small bells are used in many different Shinto rituals, including ritual dances to call down the deities.

Bells are attached to Omomori, a guardian talisman, to provide protection, blessings and promote general good fortune. They are found as souvenirs at holy sites and kept close, either on the person or in their environment, often hung by the entrance to the home, to ensure continual good luck. I have a Dorei Bell and Gara Gara bell hanging on my workshop door. 

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Buddhist temples have Bonsho and Hansho bells and are a part of daily life, calling monks to prayer or simply ringing and rolling through the air simulating the spirit of ‘Om’

Furin bells are akin to wind chimes, the translation being Fu (wind) and Rin (bell sound) and many people hang these in their homes or gardens. They are often seen to be the sound of the summer, bringing nature closer and their tinkling sound lightens the soul.  

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What attracted me to the Dorei bell and my translation of this bell was learning about the humble Hikosan Gara Gara bell, which 1300 yrs ago was used as an shrine offering to bring about rain. Typically painted in blue and red to symbolise fire and water. It is a seemingly very basic bell but one which needs a unique skill to create and I love its simple shape and rustic feel. It has now become a local craft of the area with four generations of the same farming family making them as amulets for visitors to buy.

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An interesting element of bell making is the sounds the bell makes.

Gara Gara = Rattle Rattle

Garan Garan = Clank Clank

Rin Rin = Ting Ting or Tinkle Tinkle

Chirin Chirin = Jingle Jingle

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These bells are fun to make and as they are hand made the sound can differ slightly from bell to bell.

See workshop section for details of classes where you can make your own Dorei Bell.