This Kannon-shaped clay bell (dorei) is a regional folk craft (kyōdo gangu) and talisman (engimono) from Kanagawa Prefecture, specifically associated with Engakuji Temple (円覚寺) in Kamakura.
Engaku-ji is one of the most important Zen temples in Japan, ranked second among the Five Great Zen Temples (Kamakura Gozan). It was established in 1282 by Hōjō Tokimune, the regent of the Kamakura shogunate, shortly after Japan's successful defense against the Mongol invasions.
Handcrafted by artisan Chizuko Masukawa (益川千寿子), the bell features a seated Kannon Bodhisattva, the embodiment of compassion in Japanese Buddhism. The statue is rendered in soft white clay with a serene silhouette, seated atop an unglazed terracotta base.
The front of the base is inscribed with 円覚寺 (Engakuji), the back is marked with かまくら (Kamakura). These bells are traditionally offered at Engakuji Temple, a historic Zen temple founded in 1282. This clay bell serves as both a devotional item and protective charm, carrying the blessings of Kannon for safety, healing, and peace of mind.
