Bell

KOREA; Unified Silla dynasty

From the inscription on this bronze bell, it is known that it was cast in 833. It was dedicated to Jogu Shrine on the orders of General Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1597, and is considered to be the oldest Korean bell in Japan.
The crown is in the form of twin dragons, and there are wide bands of scroll leaf patterns at the shoulder and rim. On the upper part of the waist, there are four panels each with nine studs, together with an inscription. The raised boss is decorated with a lotus design, and there is an image of an apsara on each side. The apsaras are shown kneeling on a cloud with arms held wide ready to hit a drum. This image of an apsara is a special feature of Korean bells and greatly influenced the style of the bells created during the Heian period (794–1185).