Furin Maru

Wind chime (Furin) Maru

made in Japan

cast iron, with cord

height: 5 cm

diameter: 5 cm

Have you ever been to Japan in Spring or Summer? Then you definately will have heard the clear and elegant sound of Japanese wind bells or wind chimes. Japanese wind bells are known as fūrin (風鈴): wind (Fu) en bell (Rin). A Furin constists of a bell/clock, a clapper (zetsu) and a strip of paper which is connected to the zetsu. In olden days they were used to ward of epidemics and evil (spirits). Nowadays they are mostly used as a decorative and relaxing instrument which brings a sense of cooling down on hot summer nights. The paper provides a way to visualize the wind. Even when there is only a small breeze you will be mindful of the presence of the wind. Wind chimes are thought to be good luck in large parts of Asia.