Antique Japanese Bronze Temple Bell
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Devotional Objects: Pre 1910: Item # 1427598
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Devotional Objects: Pre 1910: Item # 1427598
Zentner Collection
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5757 Horton Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
510.653.5181
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View Seller Profile
5757 Horton Street
Emeryville, CA 94608
510.653.5181
Guest Book
SOLD
Antique Japanese Bronze Temple Bell (Bonsho). Inscribed on body with name of location, temple and date. The first 4 lines (from the right side of the 2nd photo) say:
門々不同八万四 Mon-mon fudо̄ hachi-man-shi
為滅無明果業因 I metsu mumyо̄ ka gо̄in
利剱即是弥陀号 Riken soku ze Mida gо̄
一聲称念罪皆除 Isshо̄ shо̄nen zai kai jo
I found a translation in the Encyclopædia of Religion and Ethics (1914):
The 84,000 doors*, each different from the others,
were opened as means of escape from ignorance, karma, and the results of karma.
A sharp sword verily is the name of Amitābha Buddha.
He that shall invoke it but once and meditate thereon,—his sins shall be destroyed for ever.
* i.e. the doctrines of Buddhism.
Not a bad translation, but I'll suggest an updated version:
The 84,000 Dharma gateways, none the same as the others,
serve as means of extinguishing ignorance, karma and its results.
A sharp sword verily is the name of Amitābha Buddha;
one who invokes it but once shall have their sins expunged in full.
These lines are chanted at the end of memorial services in the Jōdo Shinshū sect.
The next 4 lines give the location of the temple:
三重縣 Mie-ken
伊勢國飯南郡 Ise-no-kuni Iinan-gun
機殿村六根 Hatado-no-mura Rokkon
清浄山大福寺 Jо̄dо̄-san Daifuku-ji
So, the temple is Daifuku-ji, affiliated with Jōdo Shinshū
Located in Rokkon in the village of Hatado, Iinan District, Ise Province, Mie Prefecture
(This location is now in the city of Matsusaka https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matsusaka,_Mie)
The last 2 lines are:
大正十年十月
October, Taishо̄ 10 (1921)
當梵鐘供養新調
"This bonshō (temple bell) newly made for the memorial service"
Date 80 years of age
Size: 20" high
Date 80 years of age
Size: 20" high
