Listen closely. Cast in 1675, the Japanese Temple Bell stands before us. It is more than just a bronze sculpture. This bell tells a story of war, peace, and friendship.
The Temple Bell, also known as Japanese Temple Bell, was created by Suzuki Magoemon. This cylindrical bronze sculpture is about three feet tall. It has a diameter of two feet. Look closely at the granite base. It measures approximately 3 feet 7 inches by 2 feet 8 inches by 2 feet 8 inches.
Etchings of Japanese figures and writings decorate the bell. The top features bulbous ornamentation in vertical rows. Notice the handle. It is shaped like a dragon.
Originally, the Japanese Temple Bell resided in Manpukuji Temple in Sendai, Japan. But during World War II, sailors from the USS Boston discovered it. It was in a scrap yard in Yokosuka. The bell was destined to be melted down for ammunition.
The sailors rescued the Japanese Temple Bell. After the war, the USS Boston docked in San Francisco. The bell was shipped to Boston at a cost of $42.80. Captain Marion R. Kelly, a veteran of nearly 29 years, presented it to the City of Boston.
Initially, the Japanese Temple Bell was installed on Boston Common on April 25th, 1946. It was later moved to the Back Bay Fens in 1953. A plaque tells part of the story. It says, “Temple Bell from Japan Cast in 1675 Brought to the City of Boston by the Officers and Men of the United States Ship Boston With the Blessing of the Manpukuji Temple-Sendai as a Symbol of Friendship and a Bond of Peace.”
Some Bostonians questioned how the bell was obtained. They feared it had been looted from a temple. The Navy Department investigated. They determined that Boston was the rightful owner.
The Japanese Temple Bell has faced challenges. Its surface is corroded. The base has been painted to cover graffiti. Cracks mark its surface. In 1992, it was restored. The Smithsonian Institution surveyed it in 1993.
In 1953, Japan officially presented the bell to Boston. It became a symbol of peace. The plaque downplays the wartime discovery. It emphasizes friendship. The Japanese Temple Bell serves as a reminder. It symbolizes the rebuilding of friendship after the war.
The Japanese Temple Bell is the oldest man-made object on display in Boston. The only thing possibly older is the Mill Stone by Haymarket.
Take a moment to appreciate this historic artifact. The Japanese Temple Bell connects us to the past. It reminds us of the importance of peace and understanding between nations.