This sheep dorei (土鈴) clay bell comes from Ikuta Shrine (生田神社), one of the oldest and most revered Shinto shrines in Japan. Located in the heart of Kobe, the shrine is dedicated to the deity Wakahirume-no-Mikoto and has long been associated with blessings for good fortune, relationships, and protection.
The bell is shaped as a gentle white sheep, symbolizing the Year of the Sheep (未) in the Japanese zodiac. The animal is rendered in a soft, rounded folk style with small curled horns and a calm expression, giving the figure a warm and auspicious presence. On its back rests a decorative pack adorned with plum blossom motifs, and mounted above it is a small golden charm bearing the character 「福」 (fuku), meaning good fortune.
Attached to the pack is the symbolic lucky mallet (打ち出の小槌, uchide-no-kozuchi)—a magical treasure mallet from Japanese folklore believed to grant wishes and bring prosperity. The combination of the sheep and the lucky mallet reinforces the charm’s role as a talisman of abundance, success, and happiness.
Like traditional dorei clay bells, the figure is hollow with a small pellet inside that produces a soft, pleasant chime when gently shaken. In Japanese folk belief, the sound of clay bells is said to purify spaces, ward off misfortune, and invite good luck.
Size: 10 x 5 x 8cm
