This is a dorei (土鈴) clay bell in the shape of a stylized ox (ushi), made to commemorate the year of the ox (丑年) in the Japanese zodiac. It was produced in Shōwa 49 (1974), also a year of the ox, as a special offering item by the Jingu Shrine authority (神宮司庁). The bell is called the “五十鈴” (Isuzu) bell, a reference to the sacred Isuzu River (五十鈴川) that flows through the area of the Ise Grand Shrine (伊勢神宮).
Crafted from fine clay collected from the upstream region of the Isuzu River and fired in the kilns of the shrine, this bell was made by dedicated shrine artisans (神宮陶芸師). The ox is rendered in a minimalist, almost abstract form with gentle curves and a natural clay finish, embodying the quiet dignity and endurance traditionally associated with the zodiac ox. The embossed character on its body signifies its sacred origin and possibly the shrine’s name or a blessing.
This bell was offered as a protective and commemorative object to shrine visitors who made pilgrimage during the year of the ox. The accompanying paper explains its spiritual purpose — to pray for peace, good fortune, and safety for all.
Simple yet imbued with deep cultural and spiritual significance, this dorei is both a collector's item and a beautiful symbol of Japan’s folk belief, seasonal celebration, and craftsmanship connected to Ise Shrine, one of the most revered sacred sites in Japan.
