Overview: Hand-made, brass wind chime/wind bell from Nousaku, manufactured using traditional casting techniques in Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture. You can appreciate the clear sound which can only be made by a brass wind bell. To accentuate the beauty of the material, Nousaku make each object one at a time on a turning wheel. The design: The sunflower (Himawari) design was featured in the New York Museum of Modern Art. It is a simple, elegant design....the piece expresses a perfect harmony of modern design and traditional technique. The theme of this NOUSAKU wind chime is sunflowers - underlined by the golden bell and the yellow wind catcher featuring flower petals. Sunflowers are considered a symbol of hope and faith in Japan. They are also thought to symbolize adoration, loyalty and longevity. The "Himawaris" usually grow in large fields, giving the appearance of a vast yellow sea. Because of their association with the sun, sunflowers are well-known for being a happy flower and the perfect bloom to brighten someone's mood! It has a nice refreshing sound and makes a wonderful accessory for summer. The history of wind chimes in Japan: A furin is a small Japanese wind chime, which is traditionally hung from the eaves of a house during the summer. The beautiful soothing sounds of Furin, or wind chimes are a symbol of summer in Japan, and are thought to have originated in China, and then arrived in Japan with Buddhism. At the time it was believed that the sound of the chimes warded off evil spirits (and epidemics) and bought positive energy into the home. The chimes are hung outside, or near the windows and people enjoy the soothing sounds they make when the wind blows. Many believe that the sound of the wind is a form of nature therapy, and that wind chimes can promote a relaxed, settled feeling. Noise profile: The sounds of brass - jingle, delightful, clear pitch, high and transparent sound. Glass wind chimes tend to sound more like "clink-clink". For Japanese people, the gentle tinkle of wind chimes is an inseparable part of the summertime scenery. These small bells catch the soft summer breeze to produce their cooling resonance. Feels: relaxed, settled feeling. Best enjoyed with an iced herbal tea, or an icy cold Japanese beer. The vibrating body of a furin emits sounds of different frequencies, because of its complicated shapes. If they are overlapped, they produce fluctuations. Also the tanzaku flaps erratically in the wind. Being stimulated by these overlapping and erratic sounds along with fluctuations, people feel comfortable with the sound of the furin, since our bodies have the rhythm of such fluctuations, which relates to the rhythm of life in nature. Materials: Brass (60% copper, 40% zinc), Clapper (tanzaku) - Japanese paper - water resistant (not waterproof). Dimensions: Bell: H4.3cm , ∅4.0cm (H1.7", ∅1.6") Weight: 143g (5.0oz) Caring for your brass wind chime: Do not rub with a metal polisher. The brass has been coated with a clear fixing finish, however, the colour may slightly fade over time - and this is a natural process for brass. Wipe with a soft cloth or a sponge after use. You can wash with diluted, gentle dishwashing detergent and lightly rub with a damp sponge/ cloth if needed. The slip is made of Japanese paper which is water resistant, but not waterproof. We recommend that you place the wind chime/bell indoors when the wind blows strongly. Caring for your neighbours in Noosa: It is said that people in the Edo period, in Japan, who had a love for the furin, paid careful attention to others. They made a point of taking in the furin before going to bed, and also in days of wind and rain, so as not to be a nuisance to others. Made in Japan.