Japanese Furin Wind Chimes: The Refreshing and Elegant Melody of Japan Summer Tradition
A Guide to Japanese Furin Wind Chimes
If fireworks are the dazzling attire of summer in Japan, then the Japanese furin is the soothing background music. “Furin” is the Japanese word for wind chime. To avoid confusion, I will use “furin” to refer specifically to Japanese wind chimes in most contexts.
In Japan, furin wind chimes are ubiquitous. People often hang them under the eaves during the summer, where the gentle breeze brings a crisp, elegant sound that cools the heart. In summer, Furin Wind Chime Festivals are held across various temples in Japan, creating a romantic and poetic atmosphere.
Today, I will guide you through Japan’s unique furin culture, an integral part of the country’s summer tradition. Together, we will explore its origins, follow its development, and uncover the diverse beauty it brings to various summer festivals.
The Origins of Japanese Furin Wind Chime Culture
A funny fact is that furin did not originate in Japan. Like many other things, they took root in Japanese soil, absorbed the local cultural nutrients, and blossomed into a new cultural symbol.
Furin is believed to have originated in China over 2,000 years ago. At that time, it had a different name, futaku (風鐸). When the wind blew, the chimes produced a clear, ringing sound, so they were initially used to forecast the wind’s direction.
Most of the time, it hung at the four corners of Buddhist temple eaves, where they were believed to ward off evil and prevent disasters.
With the spread of Buddhism, these wind divination tools and fūtaku found their way to Japan. During the Kamakura period, a monk named Honen Shonin referred to them as Furin.
However, the connection between furin and Japan extends beyond Buddhism. As their materials and shapes evolved, furin wind chimes also became very popular among ordinary people.
How and why did Japanese Furin become popular?
Initially, furin wind chimes were crafted from bronze, making them expensive and accessible only to the wealthy. Over time, Furin became smaller and simpler in design, gradually gaining popularity among ordinary households.
Its popularity is also related to the romance of Japanese people. In an era before electrical appliances, people had to find different ways to stay cool in summer.
Watermelons and round fans offered physical relief, while the crisp sound of Furin swaying in the breeze provided mental respite from the heat. This summer romance has not faded with time. On the contrary, it has become one of the most distinctive aspects of Japanese summer culture.
With its growing popularity, the types of Japanese furin have also diversified significantly.
Types of Japanese Furin Wind Chimes
Traditional Japanese Furin generally consists of the main body, the clapper, and the tanzaku (a paper strip). The clapper is a minor component hanging inside the furin wind chime; when the wind blows, it strikes the outer rim of the bell, creating a pleasant sound. The tanzaku is a long, narrow piece of paper attached to the clapper, and it pictures the shape of the breeze while fluttering. Usually, people will write their wishes in tanzaku.
Different materials give the wind different tones, while different tanzaku create various visual effects. There are many types of Japanese wind chimes, and here are a few with distinctive features:
Edo Furin Wind Chimes
Most people probably think of Edo Furin (江戸風鈴) as Japanese wind chimes. As the name suggests, Edo Furin originated during the Edo period and has a history of over 300 years.
“Edo” is the old name for Tokyo, but not all wind chimes made in Tokyo can be called Edo wind chimes. Currently, only “Shinohara Furin Honpo” and “Shinohara Maruyoshi Furin” in Tokyo have the right to use the “Edo Furin” trademark.
