Japanese Vintage Showa Era Cast Iron Orin Singing Bowl Buddhist Bell with Cushion Striker 10"W

Japanese Vintage Showa Era Cast Iron Orin Buddhist Singing Bowl with Cushion and Striker 10"W

Japan | Showa Period, mid-20th century

A substantial hammered bronze orin (鈴) Buddhist singing bowl of generous proportions, this handsome piece representative of the temple and household devotional objects produced in quantity during the Showa era for use in Buddhist practice across Japan. The deep, rounded form is covered overall in a dense allover hammered scale texture — uroko-mon (鱗文), the overlapping fish-scale or wave-scale pattern — worked across the entire exterior surface, producing a richly tactile finish that catches light with subtle variation. The rim is clean and unadorned, ground smooth for resonance. The dark patinated surface has developed a warm, even tone consistent with decades of careful use.

The orin is the quintessential sound instrument of Japanese Buddhist liturgy — struck at the beginning of sutra recitation, during meditation, and at transitional moments in ceremony. The deep, sustained tone of a well made bronze orin carries and lingers, making it equally valued in contemporary meditation practice as in traditional temple use. A bowl of this diameter produces a correspondingly deep and resonant fundamental tone.

Sold complete with its ring cushion — a handsome piece in its own right, constructed in red fabric with alternating panels of green and gold brocade woven with chrysanthemum and geometric fret motifs — and the original lacquered wood and suede-wrapped striker (bachi). All three components show consistent age and use, suggesting they have been together throughout the bowl's life.

Dimensions: approximately 9" Diameter 6" High — Condition: Vintage, consistent with age and use. Bowl structurally sound with even dark patina. Cushion and striker included, both showing honest use.