Bronze Bell in Yong Ju Sa Temple, Korea
There was a bronze bell in Yong Ju Sa temple.
Interesting thing was the bronze bell seemed to be made in Goryeo dynasty more than 900 years ago to the Yong Ju Sa temple which was built in Choson dynasty.
Actually the record on the surface of the bell indicated this bell was made in Shilla dynasty which had been existed before Goryeo dynasty.
But scholars thought this bell was made in Goryeo dynasty in the consideration of the bell making style.
It was the first time for me to see the bronze bell of Goryeo dynasty.
Up until now I hadn’t heard the sound of the bronze bell.
Korean Bell has its unique style.
One of those unique styles was the sound tube.
Because of the sound tube, the sound of Korea bell has its profound quality of the sound.
Second was the nipples of the bell.
In may view, those ornaments were closely related to the process of making sound.
The carvings of the angels were another joy for enjoying Korean traditional bells.
There were several other patterns except the angels on the bell.
But regrettable thing was it was forbidden to strike the bell to preserve longer.
Great pics and story, I have never seen this before.
Wow I bet that bell is mighty heavy! Would be a pity to not be able to hear it sound. Maybe the could cast an identical bell from the measurements of the original, that they could then strike.
@slowwalker, Ohh..over 900 years???? Actually most oldest bronze bell placed in Yong Ju Sa Temple. If scholars thought these bronze bell made by Goryeo dynasty that would be right. But if over 900 years most strong yet. Look Korean oldest period had powerful technology. Carving patterns on the bell very impressive. You took very close captures of nipples and sound tube. Thanks for given big knowledge.
@slowwalker,
How could that happens? Bell has a lot more history than the temple! Probably the first temple was destroyed and then a new temple might built on "Choson dynasty"! Anyway it's nice to see such close up of the bell! In my country, we call them as "Gantar" and it has a seperate building and hang on around 20-30 feet up from the floor! Once I visited a Japanese temple built at my country and heard the bell ring! It gives different sound than Gantar!
Anyway it's nice to see this bell and like said before a close up look of it!
Cheers~
Yong Ju Sa temple is most beautiful.Your share all temple is good
Wow beautiful scenery I like it.
What is the sound of a bell that doesn't ring, @slowwalker?
What is the sound of one hand clapping?
I think the answer is the void.
In the beginning there was light, but the world is sound.
The bell's engravings are beautiful and perhaps, functional, but definitely symbolic. It speaks even when it can't be rung.
And such is the irony of Time - the bell endures but only if it's not rung.
I think you grasped the implications of that reality. Is it better to endure or to wear out with use?
Have a good day, my friend :)
Wow.....very very cool post and photography..my dear friend @slowwalker ...💕📷😱
Great details of the bell! It'd be great if you could explain a bit more on the meaning of these ornaments.
Bells have always been an integral part of the ancient systems, how they understood the impact of sound healing in those times and imbibed in every culture. This one is beautiful.
It is mind boggling that such artifacts can be preserved for such a long time. We tend to focus on our own lives and this short moment in history, while there have been 10s of thousands of years of humans doing all sorts of interesting things.
Just imagine nearly 1000 years ago someone was making this bell. Beautiful!