The bell of Onjoji Buddhist Temple, the so-called Miidera, is known for a supreme timbre.

The bell of Onjoji Buddhist Temple in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, is one of the three major temple bells in Japan.  This bell is the best one in terms of a timbre and two others are of Byodoin Temple in Kyoto City in terms of shape and of Jingoji Temple in Kyoto Prefecture in terms of inscription on a surface.  The first photo shows the bell of Onjoji Temple, which is the second generation.  The first generation, made in the 13^th century, is displayed in a small exhibition hall in the temple precincts as shown in the second photo.  2,250kg in weight, 123cm in width and 199cm in height, the first generation is the second largest bell following the bell of Todaiji Temple in Nara City, among those which were made in the 13^th century.  This bell has scratches and cracks on its body.  It is said that, these various scars were made when Benkei, a monk soldier of Enryakuji Temple with superhuman strength, dragged the bell during a battle between Onjoji Temple and Enryakuji Temple.  Present bell, the second generation, was made in 1602 and the size is almost the same as the first generation. 

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