Myōshin-ji
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Myōshin-ji is a temple complex in Kyoto, Japan, which serves as the head temple of the associated branch of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. The Myōshin-ji School is by far the largest school in Rinzai Zen, appro
Main buildings. Left to right: Sanmon, Butsuden, Hattō
Emperor Hanazono, who sponsored the foundation of Myōshin-ji, after taking the tonsure
Sanmon
Butsuden and Hattō
Bonshō
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Bonshō, also known as tsurigane or ōgane are large bells found in Buddhist temples throughout Japan, used to summon the monks to prayer and to demarcate periods of time. Rather than containing a clapp
Myōshin-ji
…are a nationally designated Place of Scenic Beauty and Historic Site. The temple's bell, known as Okikicho, is the oldest-known example of a Buddhist bonshō ("temple bell") in Japan, as well as being the oldest bell in the world still in use. It was cast in 698. A difference between this and other schools…
Bonshō at Ryōan-ji – the lotus-shaped tsuki-za (striking panel) is visible at the front, and the suspended beam known as a shu-moku hangs in the background
Toyohara Chikanobu, The Giant Bell, c. 1890 ukiyo-e triptych depicting Benkei stealing the Mii-dera bonshō
"Kokka ankō"; the disastrous inscription of the Hōkō-ji bell