This handmade dorei (土鈴) clay bell features a playful tanuki figure 狸人形 motif, a beloved character in Japanese folk tradition. Crafted from natural clay and hand-painted in a warm, rustic style, the bell depicts the expressive face of a tanuki with wide, lively eyes, bold eyebrows, and whisker-like markings that give the figure a humorous and animated personality.
Suspended beneath the main tanuki face are three small dangling clay bells, each decorated with simple, stylized facial motifs. When the piece moves, these small bells gently strike together to produce a soft, pleasant chime—one of the characteristic features of traditional dorei. The bells hang from natural fiber cords attached to the main figure, enhancing the handmade and folk-art aesthetic of the piece.
In Japanese folklore, the tanuki (Japanese raccoon dog) is a mischievous but friendly spirit associated with prosperity, good fortune, and playful transformation. Tanuki figures are often used as decorative charms believed to bring luck, abundance, and cheerful energy to a household or shop.
The earthy clay body, expressive hand-painted details, and dangling bell elements give this piece the warmth and spontaneity typical of regional Japanese folk crafts. Both decorative and symbolic, this tanuki dorei bell captures the joyful spirit of traditional Japanese talismanic art, blending humor, folklore, and the gentle sound of clay bells meant to invite good fortune and ward off negativity.
The little bell on the right has cracks.Please see the photo carefully. The price reflects the condition.
Size: 6 x 7 x 2cm
