Japanese Temple Bell - Boston, MA, USA - Peace Memorials on Waymarking.com

In Boston, in the Fenway neighborhood of the city, is an old Japanese temple bell on display that has been dedicated as a symbol for worldwide peace.

The bell is generally thimble-shaped, mounted on a concrete pillar. It is about four feet high and about 3 feet in diameter, with Japanese inscriptions all around (no idea what they say).

There is a bronze plaque on the pillar that states that is an old temple bell and that it was brought to Boston by the crew of the U.S.S. Boston with the blessing of the Manpukji Temple as a symbol of peace (exact text below).

A web site on peace bells (see the link, below) continues the story. The bell was cast by "Tanaka Gonzaemon under the supervision of Suzuki Magoemon, and dedicated to Bishamon, a Buddhist god of children and good luck." To obtain metal for the war effort, many of these temple bells were removed and given to the forges. The crew of the USS Boston found this bell in the scrap heap at the Yokosuka naval base. "Sailors from the USS Boston (CA-69) salvaged the bell after WW-II and offered it to the city of Boston in 1945. In October 1953, Kyukichi Anzai, Representative of the Believers' Committee of Manpukuji Temple, Sendai (Japan), presented the bell to Boston 'in order to create close friendship between the citizens of Boston and the citizens of Sendai as a link for the attainment of peace in the world.' In 1993, 'the bell was restored through funding from the Japan Foundation.' In September 2004, the bell was knocked over by vandals, then taken to a park department warehouse for safekeeping and cleaning, but it was later restored to its pedestal in Back Bay Fens."

The bell stands at a path junction near a bridge over Muddy River. The easiest way to get to the bell is to walk from the Museum of Fine Arts across the Fenway (road), then walk west on the road to a path near the intersection with Forsyth Way, then aross the bridge to the bell straight ahead. You are on your own on parking. There is some parking along the streets, but open ones are scarce, and watch out for signs with parking restrictions (for instance, for cars with residential permits, only).

Text on Monument/Memorial Sign or Plaque: "Temple bell from Japan Cast in 1675 Brought to the City of Boston by Officers and men of the United States Ship Boston [Anchor Symbol] with the Blessing of the Manpukiji Temple-Sendai as a symbol of friendship and a Bond of Peace" Website about the Peace Monument/Memorial: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log   07/04/2012 50 State Redhead visited it