Edo Furin - Japanese Glass Wind Bell

Name of Edo Furin derives from that Mr. Yoshiharu Shinohara, Jr. made a factual survey on a glass wind-bell and started the name of Edo Furin.
A certain Senryu – short humorous verse says:
Many people gather at street corners without any peddl-er’s cry,
That is because inherent charms of the wind-bells by the gentle wind attract the people.
In the late Edo period (1603-1867) soft and comfortable sounds of the glass wind bell were heard at every corner of the town of Edo. The peddlers were carrying the bells on a pole and it was unnecessary for them to offer the bells for sale by shouting their wares, because the ring of the bells in the breeze was the best way of shouting for sale. The foregoing short verse shows the town’s atmosphere of Edo.


At present, it seems that hardly any craftsman is at work but Mr. Yoshiharu Shinohara, Jr., manufacturer of this Edo Furin, who can hand down the technique of manufacturing the traditional wind-bell to posterity. He has designated his eldest son as his successor and is making his efforts to keep the fire of a melting pot alive. In 2005, Mr. Yoshiharu Shinohara, Jr. was given the title of honorable citizen of Tokyo Metropolitan City for his contribution to develop the skill of the craftsman of Edo Furin.






Now, Yoshiharu produces the bells together with his sons, Yutaka and Masayoshi.
An Edo Furin made of glass is more colorful and comfortable in sound as compared with a bell made of iron. Various kinds of the glass wind bells resonate and are in harmony and change in sound as wind blows. Even in the modern era, the sound of wind bells is still a summer feature and the clear sound makes us feel cool.
The real Edo Furin is hand-blown and painted from the inside which is only created by the special artisans of the wind-bells.
Maruyoshi is established by Yoshiharu’s 2nd son, Masayoshi in 1990 preserving the prescious tradition of Edo Furin but providing a fresh breeze with new ideas to the family business of craftsmanship. Maruyoshi sincerely wishes that you could enjoy the delightful sounds of Edo Furin and the bell would be kept carefully in your home for many and many years to come.
Signed by Masayoshi Shinohara.




From Cecilia

Hospitality Japan.com "Japan"ese Boutique


Hospitality Japan.com