Japanese Style Wind Chimes "Furin"

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originally made in bronze but were replaced by glass when glass 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