Vintage Japanese Clay Bell Dorei

This is a vintage Japanese clay bell, or dorei . It is shaped like a pearl-diving woman. It is mostly white with subtle accents and a tiny shell and resin pearl bead attached to the arm. It has a white clay ball inside and a red string tied at the top. Traditional Ama divers, most notably women, would dive into the water, holding only their breath, and collect and deposit oyster shells for their pearls in a floating bucket at the water's surface. The Toba/Shima area of Mie Prefecture continues to cultivate pearls to this day and also hosts the Mikimoto Pearl Museum for visitors.
Dorei bells have a long history and have been used in festivals and ceremonies since the Jomon period (about 13000 to 2300 years ago), when they were said to ward off evil spirits.

• White, red, brown
• Clay, string
• C1970
• Item weight: 60 grams
• Packed weight: 250 grams
• Approx. 6 cm long x 5.5 cm wide x 7.5 cm tall
• Good condition considering age. Glue residue from construction. Wear and tear due to age. Please see the photos carefully.
• This piece was purchased at the famous Osu Antique Market in Nagoya

Shipping : Items will be shipped out via Japan Post Airmail with tracking. EMS is also available. You can select the shipping method at checkout. Please inquire about combined shipping.

About Us: We are Dan and Maiko. Since moving to Japan in 2001, we have gained extensive knowledge of Japanese antiques and vintage items, and we are pleased to offer you a selection of beautiful items from Japan. If you have any questions, please contact us.