A delicate vintage dorei (土鈴) clay bell from Zuisen-ji Temple (瑞泉寺) in Kamakura, decorated with a hand-painted narcissus motif (水仙 / suisen).
The bell has a softly rounded, pebble-like form with a pale white surface and a long reddish-brown hanging cord. On the front, several yellow narcissus flowers rise from dark green leaves in a simple, expressive folk-art style. A small red seal-style mark appears near the lower edge, while the reverse is inscribed with 瑞泉寺 (Zuisen-ji), identifying its temple origin.
Zuisen-ji is a historic Zen temple in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture, particularly known for its tranquil setting, rock garden, and seasonal flowers. The narcissus is especially associated with winter and early spring in Japan, admired for blooming during the colder months and often evoking purity, resilience, and the quiet arrival of a new season.
As a dorei, this piece belongs to the Japanese tradition of small earthenware bells made as temple keepsakes, regional souvenirs, and auspicious folk objects. Its understated form and floral decoration beautifully reflect the calm atmosphere associated with Zuisen-ji.
