Zen Bells & Wind Gongs
These are handcrafted Zen style garden bells, which are made from old recycled steel oxygen and propane tanks. As mentioned before this has been a relaxing hobby of mine for years as I make each of these bells myself. The tanks I use for these bells have been increasingly hard to come by so when I do have them they do not last very long. The average size of these bells are approximately 14” to top of ring and from 8" to 9” inches diameter depending on the tank that I have available. Each of these size bells will weigh about 30 to 45 lbs. I can make a custom bell in the length and finish of your choosing. Keep in mind that larger bells will weigh considerably more. I make both round and square top designs. Because of the different shapes, sizes, wall thicknesses, and lengths, each bell will have its own unique sound. My personal favorites are the ones made from the oxygen tanks. These bells have a beautiful long peaceful Zen style ring much like a gong.
I make them in a couple of different finishes. The look of my work is not to look shiny and new but a piece that has a story, aged and worn. I often leave hints of its old life to give it some depth. The first and most popular is natural rust where I completely strip it down to bare metal, grind off all of the wording on the tops and leave it outside to rust naturally. It is then cleaned and rubbed with oil to bring out the natural color, which is a dark rusty brown, like our gate bell pictured top left.
The second is a painted version where it is cleaned but not too much of the pitting in the old finish has been removed which helps give it more texture and depth. Even when painted I still try to go for a look other than shiny and new. I have done them in bright colors in the past for people however, they are not my favorite. I prefer to use “hammered” textured paint as it really adds to the texture and gives it an older, heavier look. In my opinion, the hammered black, brown, and bronze finishes look the best giving them an aged look I'm striving for. The bottom picture is the dark hammered bronze color. However, as long as I can find the color, we can do any color you like. Check out the blue one in the pictures below.
The second is a painted version where it is cleaned but not too much of the pitting in the old finish has been removed which helps give it more texture and depth. Even when painted I still try to go for a look other than shiny and new. I have done them in bright colors in the past for people however, they are not my favorite. I prefer to use “hammered” textured paint as it really adds to the texture and gives it an older, heavier look. In my opinion, the hammered black, brown, and bronze finishes look the best giving them an aged look I'm striving for. The bottom picture is the dark hammered bronze color. However, as long as I can find the color, we can do any color you like. Check out the blue one in the pictures below.
Strikers, Hangers, and Wind Catchers
All of my bells are designed to be struck lightly. This allows you to get a long, beautiful sound using a wooden striker. I make a few different versions that are hand turned on a wood lathe. The first one, (pictured below far left) is a rope with a large wooden striker attached inside of the bell. This is more of a classical style especially in the west. The second I call “Zen” (pictured below center) and it has a separate simple wooden striker that would be hung somewhere beside the bell and would measures approximately 7” long and 1 1/2 “in diameter. The last two at the bottom are temple style strikers, which would also be hung somewhere beside the bell like in the picture to the far right. I have also made several different versions of the hammer style pictured below as well. Each of the bell hooks and hangers below were custom made for different hanging applications and designs. The windcatchers for the wind gongs are based on traditional designs however, if you have a specific design, you are interest in, I would be happy to work with you on a custom design.
Custom Etching
I can also do custom designs which are etched into the steal of the bell with sandblasting and then paint filled. The bell pictured has a natural rust finish with the Japanese kanji for "the Way" added and then paint filled with black. I do not offer etching on painted bells.
Bells for Sale
Generally, all of my Zen style bells are made to order; however, from time to time, I do post some of my new designs here on my website for immediate sale.
Zen bell with Traditional style Tsuki-za
Cost: 300.00+Shipping
Material: Steel, brass, wood
Posted 12-1-22
I'm Happy to offer this new more traditional Zen bell design. It is approximately 10” tall to the top of the Ryuzu (hanging ring). It weighs approximately 10 pounds and is 6 3/4” in diameter. It is finished in a natural rust which gives it a dark brown aged look. What makes this bell different is that it has a traditional Japanese Tsuki-za (striking point) which has been cast in brass that has been added to both sides of the bell lining up with the Ryuzu (hanger). It also comes with a wooden striker that has been burned in the traditional Japanese way of Yakisugi. It measures approximately 9 ½” long and 4 3/4” wide. This is the first one of this design that I have made.
Zen bell with Traditional style Tsuki-za
Cost: 300.00+Shipping
Material: Steel, brass, wood
Posted 12-1-22
I'm Happy to offer this new more traditional Zen bell design. It is approximately 10” tall to the top of the Ryuzu (hanging ring). It weighs approximately 10 pounds and is 6 3/4” in diameter. It is finished in a natural rust which gives it a dark brown aged look. What makes this bell different is that it has a traditional Japanese Tsuki-za (striking point) which has been cast in brass that has been added to both sides of the bell lining up with the Ryuzu (hanger). It also comes with a wooden striker that has been burned in the traditional Japanese way of Yakisugi. It measures approximately 9 ½” long and 4 3/4” wide. This is the first one of this design that I have made.
- Zen Wind Gong (Large wing Chime)
550.00+Shipping
Material: Steel, wood - Posted 3-23-23
- This is a brand-new design of mine. I call these Zen Wind Gongs. It is basically a large wind chime with a gong like sound. This gong is made from 1/4” steel tube and is 9.25” in diameter. It is 36" in total length. The main body is 15" in length It has a 6.5” diameter wooden knocker inside hung by a chain. The wind catcher at the bottom is of my design inspired by the wind catchers of Japanese temple "Cloud bells" that would hang from the eves of Japanese temples. (Example pictured below) It is made from 16-gauge steal and measures 6 1/2” H x 10 1/4” W. This gong weighs approximately 20lbs and is finished in a natural rust.
SOLD
Zen Wind Gong (Large wing Chime)
400.00+Shipping
Material; Steel, wood
Posted 3-7-23
This is a brand-new design of mine. I call these Zen Wind Gongs. It is basically a large wind chime with a gong like sound. This gong is made from 1/4” steel tube and is 9” in diameter. It is 13.1/8” to the top of the chain and 24” in overall height. It has a 6 1/2” diameter wooden knocker inside hung by a chain. The wind catcher at the bottom is my design inspired by the wind catchers of Japanese temple bells that would hang from the eves of temples. It is made from 16-gauge steel and measures 6 1/2” H x 10 1/4” W. This gong weighs approximately 27lbs and is finished in a natural rust.
Zen Wind Gong (Large wing Chime)
400.00+Shipping
Material; Steel, wood
Posted 3-7-23
This is a brand-new design of mine. I call these Zen Wind Gongs. It is basically a large wind chime with a gong like sound. This gong is made from 1/4” steel tube and is 9” in diameter. It is 13.1/8” to the top of the chain and 24” in overall height. It has a 6 1/2” diameter wooden knocker inside hung by a chain. The wind catcher at the bottom is my design inspired by the wind catchers of Japanese temple bells that would hang from the eves of temples. It is made from 16-gauge steel and measures 6 1/2” H x 10 1/4” W. This gong weighs approximately 27lbs and is finished in a natural rust.
If You enjoyed these please click on one of the buttons below to check out the other bells and windchimes that I make or the "Contact Us" button to ask about avaibility or a custom bell.