Ritual Bell (Dōtaku)

Japan

1st century BCE–1st century CE

Bronze

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A weathered bronze ritual bell, known as a Dōtaku, stands on a white pedestal against a neutral background. The bell has a flared base and a decorative arched handle at the top. A weathered bronze ritual bell, known as a Dōtaku, stands on a white pedestal against a neutral background. The bell has a flared base and a decorative arched handle at the top. Among the most impressive examples of early bronze casting in Japan are large, bronze bells like this one, known as <i>dōtaku<i>. Metallurgy, together with wet-rice cultivation, was probably first introduced to Japan by a new wave of immigrants from the Korean peninsula around 200–300 BCE. Although <i>dōtaku<i> resemble Chinese bells in overall shape, most lack musical resonance because of the thinness of their casting. Instead, they seem to have been ritual