Furin — Chrysanthemum

The same flower is on the imperial seal and on the graves, and for the same reason.

Kiku. Chrysanthemum. It lasts — it holds its shape for weeks and does not scatter its petals when it finally goes. That is why it was taken as the mark of nobility, and why it is the flower carried to a grave. In Japan it is also said to keep bad air out of a room.

The paper strip below the bell is not decoration. It catches the wind. A furin has three parts — a glass bell, a clapper hanging inside it, and the strip of paper beneath — and the wind pushes the paper, the paper swings the clapper, and the clapper touches the glass. Take the paper off and it will barely ring at all.

The sound is small and it does not carry. That is the design, not a shortcoming. You will stop noticing it within a day, and then some afternoon, while you are sitting with a bowl in your hands, it will ring once and you will notice that the air moved.

Hand-blown glass, painted by hand.

What it is

Glass bell 8 cm (3.1 in) across, 7 cm (2.8 in) tall. Paper strip 13 × 4 cm. The cord is adjustable.

Where to hang it

Somewhere the air actually moves — an open window, a doorway, the edge of a balcony. A still room will give you nothing.

Bring it in before a storm, and take it down for the winter if the window stays shut. It is glass on a cord.