Itsukushima Shrine: Vajras and Bell

JAPAN, Hiroshima, Hatsukaichi; Kamakura period

This set of ritual instruments is used in Vajrayana Buddhism. The whole set consists of five objects, namely a tray, a five-prong vajra bell, and three vajras, each with one, three, or five prongs. They were listed as National Treasures in 1955.
The vajra bell and vajras are made of gilt copper alloy. There are raised bands in the centers of the handles featuring bead patterns. Standing at 20.9 cm high, the handle of the vajra bell takes the form of a five-prong vajra, with four outer prongs curving inward around the central prong. Lions’ heads decorate the prongs. On the exterior of the bell, there are four circles, each with a Sanskrit seed syllable on a lotus. Floral and scroll leaf patterns decorate the bell.
The single-prong vajra is 18.5 cm long, with a prong on both ends. The five-prong vajra and three-prong vajra measure 19.4 cm and 18.8 cm long, respectively. The tray is in the form of a four-petal flower with three supports in the shape of beasts’ feet. There is a base for the vajra bell at the center of the tray.