Japan · Metalwork / Buddhist Craft
仏具金具 (Butsugu Kanagu)
Butsugu Kanagu (仏具金具 — Buddhist implement metalwork) is the tradition of producing the bronze and copper ritual objects for Buddhist altar use — incense burners (香炉 kōro), flower vases (花瓶 kabin), candlesticks (燭台 shokudai), and ritual bells (鈴 rin) — concentrated in Kyoto's metalworking district. The defining technical tradition is the rin bell casting and tuning — the small hand bell struck at the beginning and end of sutra recitation. Rin bells are cast in a specific bronze alloy of 80% copper and 20% tin (higher tin than standard bronze) to produce the characteristic sustained singing tone. The tuning is achieved after casting by selective grinding on the interior of the bell — removing metal from specific inner zones raises or lowers specific overtone frequencies, allowing the bell's tone to be adjusted to a target pitch class while maintaining its singing quality.
Risk level: Endangered · Japan national Important Traditional Craft Product
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