A Yayoi period
dōtaku, 3rd century.
Dōtaku (銅鐸?) are Japanese bells smelted from relatively thin bronze and richly decorated. Dotaku are used over about 400 years, between the second century B.C. and the second century (corresponding to the end of the Yayoi era), and were nearly only used as decorations for rituals[citation needed]. Richly decorated with patterns representing nature and animals (among which the dragonfly, praying mantis and spider are featured), historians believe that dōtaku were used to pray for good harvests[citation needed]. The animals featured are indeed natural enemies of insect pests that attack paddy fields.
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| Background and terminology |
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| Bell founders and foundries |
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| Types |
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| Bellringing |
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| Notable bells |
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