Suzu (bell)

are round, hollow Japanese Shinto bells that contains pellets that sound when agitated. They are somewhat like a jingle bell in form, though the materials produce a coarse, rolling sound. come in many sizes, ranging from tiny ones on good luck charms (called ) to large ones at shrine entrances. are, however, classified as small bells, since big bells are referred to as . The former is associated with Shinto and shrines while the latter is related to Buddhist temples and ceremonies.

At Shinto shrines, large drape over entrances, as it is said that ringing them calls , allowing one to acquire positive power and authority, while repelling evil. Handheld clustered , similar to jingle bells, are used musically at Shinto ceremonies. There are ceremonies, for instance, where female performers dance with bells such as those with some sort of short blade at their center. The bell's cool tinkles are also considered psychological air-conditioning for the summer since their clear ringing is considered cool and refreshing.

In Edo Castle, the larger corridor to the , which only the was allowed to enter, was called , derived from the ringing of the bells to announce his entrance.

were traditionally made by metal craft artisans. With the onset of industrialisation, they were made by machines. The ones produced by hand however are still considered of higher quality due to the richer and more melodious sound.

• 17th century Suzu from Miwa, Nara Prefecture, Japan, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
  17th century from Miwa, Nara Prefecture, Japan, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
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  with bells in her right hand
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  hanging under the eaves of a Shinto shrine

Other references

is also a female name in Japan, meaning "bell" or "tin". The kanji for is often used to form a compound name, such as the well-known surname Suzuki, meaning "bell tree" – the bell with the thick rope hanging down almost to the floor and looking like a tree trunk.