CB079 - Dragon Clay Bell Dorei – Nishinomiya Shrine 西宮神社

This vintage white clay bell (dorei) is shaped in the form of a mythical dragon, handcrafted as an engimono (auspicious charm) from the revered Nishinomiya Shrine in Hyōgo Prefecture. Adorned with vivid red and gold, the dragon’s face carries a bold, stylized expression, both protective and celebratory in spirit. On its side, the bell is stamped with the vermilion seal of 西宮神社 (Nishinomiya Jinja), a shrine famously dedicated to Ebisu (恵比寿), the deity of prosperity, luck, and fishermen. The shrine is also renowned for its annual “Fukuotoko” (Lucky Man) race, a cherished New Year tradition where participants dash through the shrine gates to become the year's first lucky visitor. In Japanese folklore, the dragon is a powerful and benevolent creature, believed to bring rain, fertility, and fortune. As a zodiac animal and protector, it is often associated with strength and spiritual power. This bell captures that symbolism in a playful yet reverent form, its sound evoking blessings and warding off misfortune. Whether displayed as a collectible folk craft, New Year talisman, or spiritual keepsake, this dorei embodies the deep connection between tradition, artistry, and faith in everyday life. Size: 6 x 9 x 7cm#CB079#BellKYO· · ─ 𝘿𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙘𝙡𝙖𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙨 ─ · ·https://maisonkyo.be/blogs/news/history-of-clay-bells-tsuchi-bue-dorei-%E5%9C%9F%E9%88%B4· · ──── ✨𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚✨ ──── · · 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑄𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝐾𝑈 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟. 𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.