” Joya no Kane” The tradition of hitting a big bell at temples on New Year’s Eve

What is Joya no Kane?

The custom of hitting a bell at temples originated in China.  It has became common in Japan since the Kamakura period (12-13th century) and become a yearly event on New Year’s Eve to Year’s Day.
“Joya” means the night time of New Year’s Eve to Year’s Day and “Kane” means bell.
Every temple has their own big bell made of bronze and they rung for signaling time. 
A massive pole that hangs on a ceiling is used for hitting a temple’s big bell. It looks dynamic and a bell rings loudly.

“Joya no Kane” in Buddhist temples in Japan  are rung each year to announce the passing of the old year and the coming of the new. Because of the Buddhist belief that human beings are plagued by 108 earthly desires or passions which are called “Bonno” in Japanese, the bells are rung a total of 108 times, with each toll of the bell, one Bonno is dispelled. Dispelling Bonno is an important theme of Buddhism.

Experience to hit a Joya no Kane in Temple

Some temples in Kamakura that are available for visitors to hit a temple’s big bell.
Visitors can experience hitting a bell at the temples in Kamakura billow.

• Hase Dera
• Ofuna　Kannonji
• Koumyouji
• Jochiji
• Myohonji
• Ryukoji(Near Enoshima)
  

Why don’t you experience hitting a “Joya no Kane” to dispel your “Bonno”!