Object Details
- Label
- This bronze bell was used in the rituals of Esoteric Buddhism, known in Japanese as Mikkyo. The bell was placed at the center and four points of an altar to represent the central Buddha of the Cosmos, Mahavairocana, and four Buddhas associated with the directions north, east, south, and west.
- Elaborate rituals performed by priests were essential to the practice of Mikkyo (literally, "concealed" or "secret" teaching). The complex doctrine of Mikkyo is revealed only to the members of its priesthood.
- Provenance
- Hiyeizen Temple [1]
- To 1903
- Bunkio Matsuki (1867-1940), Boston, to 1903 [2]
- From 1903 to 1919
- Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Bunkio Matsuki in 1903 [3]
- From 1920
- Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [4]
- Notes:
- [1] See Curatorial Remark 2, undated folder sheet note. See also, Reserved Bronze List, R.5137, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives. Purchased as a set of five, F1903.292-F1903.296.
- [2] See note 1.
- [3] see note 1.
- [4] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.
- Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art Collection
- Exhibition History
- Words of Wisdom: Buddhist Calligraphy from Japan (April 1, 2023 to February 25, 2024)
- Buddhist Art (May 9, 1993 to August 9, 2011)
- Previous custodian or owner
- Bunkio Matsuki 松木文恭 (1867-1940) (C.L. Freer source)
- Enryaku-ji Temple 延暦寺 (founded 788)
- Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Charles Lang Freer
- 1185-1333
- Period
- Kamakura period
- Accession Number
- F1903.296
- Restrictions & Rights
- Usage conditions apply
- Type
- Ceremonial Object
- Medium
- Bronze
- Dimensions
- H x W (overall): 14.4 x 6.3 cm (5 11/16 x 2 1/2 in)
- Origin
- Japan
- Related Online Resources
- Google Cultural Institute
- See more items in
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Collection
- Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
- Topic
- casting
- metal
- bronze
- Buddhism
- Kamakura period (1185 - 1333)
- Japan
- Japanese Art
- ceremony
- Japanese Esoteric Buddhism
- Charles Lang Freer collection
- Record ID
- fsg_F1903.296
- GUID (Link to Original Record)
- http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ye3c2c7a30c-860e-4605-b757-459cb12f0149
