This is a charming Dorei (土鈴) clay bell crafted in the shape of a 蛤 (hamaguri) clam, a motif traditionally associated with good fortune and protection.
In Japanese culture, the clam, particularly the hamaguri or common clam, holds deep symbolic significance, and when crafted into a dorei (土鈴), or clay bell, it becomes a charming object imbued with layers of meaning. The clam is especially known for the way its two shells fit together perfectly and exclusively, which has made it a long-standing symbol of marital harmony and fidelity. During the Heian period, aristocrats would play matching games called kai-awase using clam shells, and this custom later became part of wedding traditions, symbolizing the ideal of a perfectly matched couple.
The surface is adorned with an abstract design that blends bold strokes of red, blue, brown, and metallic gold, evoking a sense of movement and auspicious energy. On the back of the bell, the character 福 (fuku)—meaning “blessing,” “happiness,” or “good fortune”—is dynamically brushed in gold, reinforcing the bell’s role as a lucky charm.
With its smooth, rounded form and organic design, the piece embodies the aesthetics of wabi-sabi, celebrating simplicity and natural imperfection. The vibrant colors and celebratory brushwork also suggest that it may have been sold as a New Year’s or celebratory good luck item, possibly from a shrine or folk festival.
Size: 6 x 3 x 5cm
