This vintage dorei (clay bell) represents a sacred monkey, handcrafted and painted in soft natural tones with vivid red and yellow details. The monkey's face is strikingly red—a traditional color used in Japan for warding off evil—while its body is adorned with protective motifs and a gold-inscribed crest on the front.
This bell comes from Taga Taisha, a revered Shinto shrine in Shiga Prefecture, known as the "Shrine of Longevity and Happy Life" (延命長寿の神). Monkeys have special significance in Japanese folklore and Shinto beliefs. They are sometimes seen as divine messengers, warding off evil and misfortune. A monkey-shaped dorei bell such as this one would have been purchased as a charm during a shrine visit, especially around the Year of the Monkey in the zodiac cycle.
Dorei is a traditional handcrafted bell made from clay or ceramic, these bells produce a soft, pleasant sound when shaken. Often sold at shrines or festivals as charms to ward off evil and bring good fortune. The sound of the bell is believed to purify the surrounding environment and attract positive energy.
