CB196 - Dorei Clay Bell of Hyuga pumpkin 日向かぼちゃ

This is a vintage dorei (土鈴) clay bell shaped like a Hyūga kabocha 日向かぼちゃ or Hyūga pumpkin, coming from Miyazaki Prefecture in southern Japan. Carefully molded and painted by hand, this bell embodies the charm of local agricultural motifs transformed into folk art. The bell is crafted to resemble a small, rounded pumpkin with deeply carved ridges and a realistic stem. Its surface is painted in a vivid turquoise green, a striking and unconventional color choice that gives it a unique folk-art character. A contrasting bright red fruit or bud, attached with a bent wire, adds a playful and ornamental touch. From the top, a purple braided cord is threaded through, allowing the bell to be hung or carried. Hyūga, now part of Miyazaki Prefecture, is known for its warm climate and rich farmland, and the kabocha (Japanese pumpkin or squash) is a symbol of abundance, nourishment, and good harvest. In traditional belief, pumpkin-themed charms are also associated with health and warding off evil, particularly in winter when kabocha is eaten during the winter solstice to promote vitality. This bell likely served as an omiyage (souvenir) or a local good-luck charm, capturing both the cultural identity of the region and a sense of seasonal celebration. Its warm, rustic craftsmanship and the gentle tone it produces when rung speak to the enduring connection between folk traditions, nature, and everyday life in rural Japan. Size: 6 x 5 x 4cm#CB196#BellKYO· · ──── ✨𝘼𝙘𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙖𝙗𝙖𝙨𝙚✨ ──── · · 𝐸𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑦 𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑑 𝑛𝑜𝑤 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑎 𝑐𝑒𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑓𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑞𝑢𝑒 𝑄𝑅 𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝐾𝑈 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟. 𝑆𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑠𝑐𝑎𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑛𝑦𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒.