This unique dorei (土鈴) clay bell is shaped in the form of a Gasshō-zukuri (合掌造) house, a traditional thatched-roof farmhouse style found in the mountainous region of Hida (飛騨) in Gifu Prefecture. Carefully handcrafted in rustic tones with white-painted window details, the bell captures the charm and character of Japan’s rural architectural heritage.
The name "Gasshō-zukuri" literally means “praying hands construction,” referring to the steep, triangular roof design which resembles hands pressed together in prayer. These iconic structures were designed to withstand heavy snow and are emblematic of the historical villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, UNESCO World Heritage Sites renowned for their preserved Edo-period scenery.
This bell not only functions as a sound talisman—believed to ward off evil and invite good fortune—but also serves as a miniature tribute to the craftsmanship and simplicity of life in traditional mountain villages. A nostalgic piece for collectors of Japanese folk art or admirers of vernacular architecture.
