Bronze Bell of Anjeongsa Temple, Tongyeong

In Buddhist temples, large bronze bells are used to gather people for rituals and to announce time.

This bronze bell kept in Anjeongsa Temple was originally made in 1580 to be enshrined in a temple named Yongcheonsa in Damyang, Jeollanam-do. However, the temple was burned down during the Japanese invasions of 1592-1598, and this bell was moved to the current location afterwards.

The cannon at the top of this bell, by which it is hung, has a dragon-shaped decoration and a tube for conveying sound. The top and bottom parts of the bell are cast in relief with lotus and scroll designs. On the main part of the bell, there are inscriptions with information about the bell’s production year and temple to which it belonged. The four circles on the lower part, which are decorated with Sanskrit letters and cloud designs, serve as striking panels.

It is one of the largest bronze bells produced during the Joseon period (1392-1910), measuring 115cm in total height and 68 cm in diameter at the bottom.

Source: Korea Heritage Service signboard ↗ · collected 2026-10-08