Dōtaku (Bronze Bell) 1st-2nd century Japan Produced during the late Yayoi period, the distinctive clapperless Japanese bronze bells known as dōtaku are thought to derive from earlier, smaller Korean examples that adorned horses and other domesticated animals. Dōtaku were buried, singly, in pairs, and in large groupsoccasionally with bronze mirrors and weaponsin isolated locations, often on hilltops, perhaps to ensure a community’s agricultural fertility. Later dōtaku had relatively thin walls and would not have resonated, so it assumed their purpose was primarily ritual. Listen to experts illuminate this artwork's story Listen Play or pause #8805. Dōtaku (Bronze Bell) Supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies We're sorry, the transcript for this audio track is not available at this time. We are working to make it available as soon as possible.. Dōtaku (Bronze Bell) 44831