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Edo Furin (Edo glass wind-bell) copywrite by Maruyoshi
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" (Tokyo style Japanese wind-bells).
A certain "Senryu" (Japanese 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.
History of "Edo Furin"
In the mid Edo period, a Glassman from Nagasaki (called Master of Nagasaki Vidro) came up to the town of Edo (Tokyo) and gave a demonstration of glass-making and since then glass was introduced into the town.
In the late Edo period, a wholesale merchant learned manufacturing technique of glass in Nagasaki and started the glass wind-bell sale by low costs and then the glass wind-bell became popular in the Edo town. Early in the Showa period, Yoshiharu learned the manufacturing technique of Edo Furin from his father, Matahei.
At present, 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.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 ("Edo Furin" crafted by Masayoshi Shinohara) 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 |