Tsurigane, Japanese Bonsho temple bell

The Japanese bell, better known as Tsurigane (釣鐘) or Bonshō (梵鐘), is used in Buddhist temples throughout Japan to summon the monks for prayer or to indicate the time. Unlike other bells, the Japanese temple bell is struck from the outside by hitting it with a wooden bar or hammer.

This temple bell is decorated with text on both sides. On one side is Tokusei (特製), which in Japanese means "specially made." The text on the other side is read as Miyakonojo Eirinsho (都城営林署). This refers to an old government organization in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture, established to protect the forests in this area. In 1999, this organization was merged with other conservation organizations under a new name.

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