What is a Bonsho（梵鐘 temple bell）? : Temples
- Published 2010.7.13
The “bonsho（梵鐘）,” or temple bell, is a hung bell used in temples in East Asia in Buddhist rituals. Its unique characteristic loud reverberations made after striking it with the wooden bell hammer. On New Year’s Eve the temple bell is rung 108 times.
The Japanese temple bell is also called a “wakane,” and the oldest of these are found in the Myoshin-ji Temple in Kyoto, and the Kanzeon-ji Temple in Fukuoka. During World War Two, there was issued a collection of metals, resulting in many of these temple bells being lost. The few remaining bells are considered precious treasures.
