This dorei clay bell in the form of a dog, known as 初宮鈴 (Hatsumiyamairi suzu), is a ceremonial charm associated with a child’s first shrine visit in Japan. It comes from Atsuta Jingū (熱田神宮), one of Japan's most revered Shinto shrines located in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture.
The bell depicts a friendly and protective dog (inu) figure, a traditional symbol of safe childbirth and protection for infants. The dog's body is adorned with stylized decorative patterns that resemble celebratory garments, symbolizing purity and good fortune. A red cord is attached to the top, allowing the bell to be held, hung, or tied as a keepsake.
Hatsumiyamairi is a traditional Shinto rite in which a newborn is taken to a shrine, typically around one month after birth, to express gratitude and pray for health and happiness. The gifting of such bells is part of the ritual, and the soft chime is believed to invite blessings and ward off evil.
This particular bell, made in a warm bronze-colored ceramic with gentle features, embodies the prayerful wishes of the shrine and the family. The accompanying box bears the calligraphy of "熱田の宮 初宮鈴" and a red seal, affirming its sacred origin. It serves as both a spiritual amulet and a touching memento of a child’s earliest connection to tradition and divine protection.
