RARE! This unique dorei (clay bell) is crafted in the shape of a shōgi piece (将棋駒), the Japanese chess equivalent of a chess piece. This particular bell features the kanji “駒” (koma), meaning game piece or steed, boldly painted on one side with gold accents enhancing its symbolic significance. The opposite side is inscribed with the phrase 「厄除開運」 (yakuyoke kaiun), meaning "warding off evil and bringing good fortune", making it a talisman as much as it is a folk craft.
“駒” (koma) carries associations of movement, agility, and service. It is often used in artistic and folk crafts to signify fortune, determination, and good beginnings.
It shaped with clean lines and painted with careful brushwork, this bell embodies traditional Japanese folk charm. The purple braided cord allows it to be hung as a decorative and protective item—ideal for placing near entrances or as part of a seasonal or cultural display.
Likely originating from a region known for ceramic artistry, this bell bridges two iconic elements of Japanese heritage: shōgi culture and the ritual use of dorei bells in festivals and daily life to invite good luck and dispel misfortune.
