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September 6, 2006

Fu-rin [wind-chime]

In Japanese, wind-chime made of glass is called Fu-rin. It exactly means wind bells.
During summer, people set the wind-chime at the top of windows, and let wind them chink.
Wind-chime is one of seasonal tradition of summer, it is very old custom in Japan.
People listen to the sounds of wind-chime and they can feel a little coolness.

Wind-chime has a long history. It seems to begin in China, but Chinese used wind-chime by a different way. They used it for fortune-telling and expel, because they believe wind tells destiny. Also, the bell sounds secure people from evil. Later, wind-chime comes to Japan with Buddhism. So there are wind-chimes at temples in Japan and the areas around the temple which people can hear the bell ringing are secured.

Here is how to make a wind-chime made of glass which is the most popular type.
First, there is a fire pot melt glass inside is put in a furnace.
Take a little amount of melting glass by a long glass stick.

Blow up the glass until it shapes round, and make a tiny hole on the top as thread can through it.

Let the glass cool down, then cut out the part connecting to the stick.
Draw picture on it, put a thread and a strip of paper.

Nowadays, many kinds of wind-chimes are sold, so you can find your favorite one.
Let’s set Fu-rin at the window, and feel the coolness which wind-chime produces.

entry dj : September 6, 2006 10:09 AM