To craft a Buddhist bell, ‘you have to find peace within yourself first’
Yoshinori Shimatani, a fourth-generation "orin" (standing bell) master craftsman, views his process as equal parts physical and spiritual.
In the workshop of fourth-generation master craftsman Yoshinori Shimatani, the creation of a Buddhist bell requires an inner journey of self-discovery. At his studio in Takaoka, a city in Toyama Prefecture, Shimatani dedicates himself to the tradition of metalworking, which has been a part of the region for 400 years. As he hammers brass with relentless force, the resulting sound is so intense that it could potentially cause discomfort.
However, for Shimatani, this physical labor is a means to an end – to produce an orin, or standing bell, that resonates at the same pitch as those crafted by his father and grandfather.
Shimatani is one of only eight master craftsmen in Japan still producing these ritual instruments by hand. The art of crafting a Buddhist bell is not merely a technical skill; it demands a profound connection to oneself. According to Shimatani, the process begins with finding peace within before embarking on the physical journey of shaping the metal. This emphasis on inner tranquility is not unique to Shimatani; it is a fundamental aspect of the craft that has been passed down through generations of artisans.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
