Japanese antique 1700s EDO "wanikuchi" bronze temple gong, buddhist altar with lotus Kanji signature lost wax craft W6.5in/W16.5cm.
This shaped bronze gong is called as 鰐口"wanikuchi" meaning crocodile's mouth since its chasm looks like reptile's mouth seeing from the side. Wanikuchi is hanged at the entrance of temples with a rope and wood ball to hit and make sound. Though this is one of instrument, many temples regard it as decorations because it does not sound loud nor clear
This wani-kuchi was donated to the temple in 1710 by temple followers who prayed for success by making wani-kuchi. The first thing that catches the eye is the beautiful relief of the lotus flower in the center and the flower-like design below. The design is more elaborate than many wanikuchi and more interesting and exquisite. It is engraved with the name 橋本治左衛門Hashimoto Jizaemon. The address is also written as a resident of 土川長岡郡本山高津村住人Motoyama and Takatsu Nomura, Tsuchikawa Nagaoka-gun. This is present-day Kochi Prefecture. It is very cool as a decoration. It comes with a chain so it can be installed immediately. The chain is also valuable because it is from those days. There is my backside, but it will not be broken by this crack because of its thickness.
condition... It is in good condition, but there are small scratches and dirt due to aging. There is a crack on the back side. However, it is very thick and there is no concern that this will break it.
I list antiques that sometimes have chips, rubbings and cracks as they are very old antiques so please check the images and understand the current condition before buying.
