Hear the resonant toll of the Temple Bell. This isn’t just any bell. It’s a powerful symbol a testament to a community’s enduring spirit. The Temple Bell at Ontario Place stands as a gift. Japanese Canadians in Ontario presented it to the province. This was in 1977 commemorating a century of Japanese settlement in Canada.
Over 17000 people contributed to this magnificent bell. They raised funds and crafted the belfry. The founding president of the NAJC Roger Obata played a key role. He chaired the Japanese Canadian Centennial National Committee. This committee relied on a vast network for fundraising.
The inaugural ceremony was a grand affair. Reverend Takamasa Moriki gave the invocation. Mikio Nakamura presented the bell. Lieutenant Governor Pauline McGibbon struck the bell for the first time. Hundreds of Japanese Canadians watched. The TBC choral group sang. Nikka Festival Dancers performed. Even Premier Bill Davis sent a congratulatory message from Tokyo.
Cast in Japan this 1200-pound bronze bell has a unique sound. It says Go-on. This translates to gratitude kindness goodness and benefit. It reflects the mutual respect between Japanese Canadians and Ontarians. A haiku by Takeo Nakano is inscribed on the dedication plaque. It reads In the land of the Maple Leaf Japanese Canadians proudly celebrate their centennial.
In Japan bells toll 108 times on New Year’s Day. This is called Joya No Kane. It cleanses 108 passions. It prepares people for a new year. These passions stem from six senses multiplied by three feelings and then by two polarities and three timespans. That’s how you get 108.
Since 1977 Japanese Canadians and others have used the Temple Bell. They ring it on New Year’s Eve for peace and harmony. They also used to celebrate Obon a day to remember ancestors. This stopped in the mid-90s. The bell ringing nearly always happens on New Year’s Eve. There were a few exceptions. A severe ice storm a coyote threat and Ontario Place’s closure prevented some celebrations. The Toronto Buddhist Church has organized many of these events. They remember ringing in the year 2000 with over 200 people pulling the bell rope.
The Temple Bell’s future was uncertain with Ontario Place’s revitalization. The Toronto Buddhist Church and the NAJC worked to keep the bell. They wrote to the government. The government allowed the New Year’s ringing to continue. The ceremony moved to the Toronto Buddhist Church that year. But the hope is to return the ceremony to Ontario Place. The Temple Bell endures a symbol of community resilience and shared history.