This vibrant yellow fish-shaped dorei (土鈴) clay bell represents the “Kibuna” (黄ぶな), a traditional folk talisman from Utsunomiya City in Tochigi Prefecture. The bell’s striking color scheme, a bold yellow body, red head, green tail, and black dorsal fin, gives it a playful charm while carrying deep cultural significance.
According to local legend, during an epidemic in the Edo period, villagers in the Utsunomiya area caught a mysterious yellow crucian carp (buna) in the Tagawa River. Those who ate the fish were said to have recovered quickly. Since then, the kibuna has become a symbol of protection from illness, particularly infectious diseases (hayari yamai 流行り病), and is widely regarded as a guardian of health and well-being.
These folk bells are typically given as charms during the New Year or at shrines, especially to children or those recovering from illness, to pray for health, ward off misfortune, and invite good luck. The gentle sound of the bell is thought to carry wishes of healing and safety, echoing the spirit of resilience that the kibuna embodies.
With its origins rooted in community belief and hope, this cheerful clay bell is not only a colorful decorative item, but a meaningful piece of Japanese folk tradition tied to the enduring wish for wellness.
Size: 10 x 5 x 7cm
