🎎 Ceramic Kawara Bell with Kamon Crest 家紋 – Japan Antique Roadshow

This miniature ceramic bell draws its form and spirit from the traditional kawara (瓦) roof tiles used throughout Japan for centuries. Shaped like a compact onigawara (鬼瓦) end cap tile, it reflects the heritage of Japanese architecture—where form, function, and symbolism coexist. These roof-end tiles once adorned the eaves of temples and vernacular homes, warding off fire and misfortune with fierce expressions or family emblems.

This particular piece, likely crafted in the mid to late Showa era (1926–1989), features a stylized kamon (家紋) or family crest in floral form. The material and matte-black finish echo the clay and coloring of genuine architectural kawara. When gently shaken, a soft internal chime rings out—transforming this roof tile form into a handheld folk bell. Along one side, undeciphered Japanese script hints at a maker’s mark or regional origin.

Though modest in scale, the bell carries an air of quiet dignity. Its surface shows light wear and a small chip at the rim, enhancing its wabi-sabi (侘寂) charm—a reverence for imperfection and the passage of time. Objects like this one reflect the philosophy of mingei (民芸)—Japan’s folk craft tradition—where beauty is found in everyday tools and handmade forms.

📏 Approximate dimensions

• Size: 8 cm wide × 4 cm deep

• Weight: 20 g

• Material: Fired clay (ceramic kawara style)

• Features: Kamon crest on face, hanging loop, internal clapper

• Era: Mid-to-late Showa period (1926–1989)

• Condition: Small chip at lower edge; overall good with age-appropriate wear

• Origin: Japan

Curated in Shizuoka City by Kurt Bell, this artifact offers a humble but profound connection to Japanese craftsmanship and architectural heritage—captured in a form small enough to hold in the palm of your hand.

FAQ

Q1: What is a kawara tile?
A: Kawara (瓦) are traditional Japanese roof tiles made from ceramic. They’re found on temples, shrines, and homes across Japan and are often decorated with symbolic designs for protection and good fortune.

Q2: What is a kamon?
A: Kamon (家紋) are family crests unique to Japanese lineages, used for centuries to identify families and clans. This bell features a floral kamon likely representing a specific household or region.

Q3: Does the bell still ring?
A: Yes. It has a soft, gentle chime when shaken—subtle and reflective, rather than loud.

Q4: Is the chip on the rim a flaw?
A: The small chip is age-related and adds to the wabi-sabi aesthetic—a Japanese appreciation for natural wear, imperfection, and time’s effect on handmade things.

Q5: Why would someone collect an object like this?
A: It reflects Japan’s folk traditions and architectural beauty in miniature. A collectible like this bridges design, symbolism, and utility—carrying with it the soul of mingei craft and the quiet echo of a time gone by.