bronze bell at Daibutsu-den Temple in Kyoto

This oban woodblock print depicts a bronze bell at what the title identifies as Daibutsu-den Temple in Kyoto, referring to a temple hall housing or associated with a great Buddha image. Large bronze bells (bonsho) are essential fixtures of Japanese Buddhist temples, rung to mark time, summon monks to services, and on New Year's Eve when they are struck 108 times to dispel worldly desires. Kamei's composition focuses on the bell as both a sculptural object and an element within the temple's architectural setting. The weathered green patina of aged bronze, the massive wooden frame from which the bell hangs, and the surrounding temple structures offer a rich array of textures and tones. The print captures the physical presence of an object that also serves as an acoustic landmark, its deep resonance defining the soundscape of temple life.