This is a traditional dorei (土鈴) clay bell from Suwa Taisha (諏訪大社), one of Japan’s most ancient and significant Shinto shrines, located in Nagano Prefecture. The bell is shaped as a stylized white rat (nezumi)—a creature that symbolizes cleverness, prosperity, and new beginnings, especially revered during the Year of the Rat in the Japanese zodiac.
The figure is minimalist in design, with subtle contours and earthy charm, embodying a rustic wabi-sabi aesthetic. A natural fiber cord is tied at the top, and the character 開運 ("kaiun", meaning "good fortune" or "opening luck") is engraved on its side, enhancing its purpose as a talisman of auspicious blessings.
This bell was distributed by Suwa Taisha, also known as the Grand Shrine of Suwa, which has been a center of worship for over a millennium. Dedicated to the kami Takeminakata, a deity of wind, water, hunting, and agriculture, Suwa Taisha is deeply intertwined with ancient mountain and nature worship. It is also known for the spectacular Onbashira Festival, held every six years, where massive logs are ceremonially transported from the mountains to the shrine.
Suwa Taisha consists of four shrine sites—two in the Upper Shrine (Kamisha) and two in the Lower Shrine (Shimosha)—making it a deeply rooted spiritual destination with strong ties to nature and local tradition. Clay bells like this are often sold as omamori (amulets) at the shrine, especially during New Year’s or for visitors seeking protection and luck.
Size:6 x 4 x 6cm
