Japanese Style Wind Chimes "Furin"
Like many places in the world, nothing says summer like going to
the beach, having BBQ's, eating watermelon, ice cream, etc.
And in Japan, wind chimes are also at the top of the list of things
that represent summer as the sound of wind chimes makes you
feel a bit cooler in the hot and humid weather.
Japanese style wind chimes, called "furin" ("fu" meaning wind
and "rin" meaning bell), originated in China where they were used
as a way to predict one's fortune based on the wind's direction and
its sound. Once it made its way to Japan through Buddhism, they
were said to ward off evil spirits and that no disaster would occur in
the area where the sounds of the furin could be heard. They were
originally made in bronze but were replaced by glass when glass
became popular in the 19th century after glassmaking techniques
were introduced from Holland in the 18th century. As Otaru is famous
for glass, you can be sure to see many beautiful glass furins in the city!
While our summer festivals, or omatsuri's, are cancelled due to
the pandemic, there are many furins displayed near tourist attractions
so visitors can enjoy walking around Otaru even in the hot weather
with the sounds of furins tinkling in the Otaru breeze to cool them down.
JR Otaru Station
Marchen Crossroad
Okobachi River
(in between Taisho Glass & Romankan)
Taisho Glass
Unwind Hotel
Otaru Art Base
