This is an iron wind chime (fū-taku). Its role is to ward off evil and to divine good or bad fortune (especially by sensing the flow of "ki"). It was introduced to Japan along with Buddhism and is said to have been hung from the eaves of pagodas and other structures. It is unknown which temple it was used in, but the hanging point shows signs of wear. Looking at the images inside, there is a ring. A clapper (zetsu) would have hung from it by a chain, and the wind would have caused the clapper to strike the wind chime, producing a sound to ward off evil. It's similar to a wind chime. Most are made of bronze, but iron ones are rare. Also, the protrusions on both sides and the shoulder area give the whole piece a refined look. The size is 18 cm in height, and 13.5 cm at the bottom. The thickness of the wind chime at the bottom is about 10 mm. - Material: Iron - Shape: Bell-shaped - Features: Perforated design - Size: Approximately 20cm in height - Condition: Old but in good condition Thank you for viewing.