Edo Furin: A guide to Japan’s beloved glass wind bells

Japan’s delightful glass wind bells — known as “Edo furin” – have been decorating temples and homes in Japan for more than four centuries. Named so because they were first made during the great ‘Edo period’ in Japan from 1600-1868.

Known for their tinkling sound and colourful, hand-painted designs, today, these glass wind chimes are made using the same time-honoured techniques that glass blowers perfected hundreds of years ago.

Edo furin are synonymous with the Japanese summer, bringing coolness to homes on hot days. Over time, Edo furin – and other Japanese wind bells – have come to symbolise summer itself and herald the arrival of a new season.
 

A brief history of Edo furin

Glass wind bells emerged during the Edo period (1603–1868), when arts and crafts flourished in Japan – including the art of glassmaking.

Due to the high cost of glass during that period, Edo furin were reserved for Japan’s higher classes and samurai, but, as glass became more affordable, they soon became popular household items.

Today, you’ll still find Edo furin hanging from balconies, windows, and temple eaves in Japan, where they are believed to invite good luck, and also serve a practical purpose – the tinkling sounds can help create a feeling of coolness and relief into homes during Japan’s hot and humid summer.
 

Crafting an authentic Japanese glass wind bell

Each Edo Furin is handcrafted using glass blowing techniques that have been passed down through generations.

Glass is melted in a furnace at a blistering 1320C. A small blob of molten glass is gathered onto the end of a blowpipe, forming what’s known as the “kuchidama”. More molten glass is added in layers to shape the body.

In the next stage, called “chubuki” or free-blowing, the glass is blown up like a balloon into its distinctive sphere shape. Because each piece is hand-made, subtle variations make each piece completely unique. Once the wind bell has been cooled, the base of the chime is cut. The edge is left jagged to produce the wind bell’s clear tones — which is more effective than a uniformly cut edge.

The inside of the wind bells are then hand-painted from the inside – an art in itself – and may include everything from traditional motifs like goldfish and Mt Fuji, to fun designs like lucky cats and smiling pandas.
 

How to spot an authentic Edo Furin

Wondering whether your Edo Furin is authentic? There are a few telltale signs that signal whether your Edo Furin is a handmade Japanese wind bell, or a factory-made imitation.

Firstly, because Authentic Edo Furin are handblown, they have a slightly irregular form. Factory-made glass windbells, on the other hand, don’t have irregularities. The opening of true Edo Furin has a jagged edge, which creates its distinctive sound, while copies have a flat uniform edge.

Real Edo Furin are hand painted from the inside, which protects the beautiful designs from the rain, makes them easier to clean, and helps them maintain their original lustre. Imitations, on the other hand, are painted on the outside and lack the beauty of the real thing.
 

A tranquil sound that transcends time

Edo furin are still beloved for their clear tones and joyful, hand-painted designs that bring happiness and relief to hot summer days.

In Japan, the sound of a furin signals the arrival of summer, a tradition embraced in homes and temples alike. For those outside Japan, these glass wind bells offer a simple way to connect with that seasonal ritual — while also supporting the dedicated artisans who keep this time-honoured craft alive.

 

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Artwork by Agnes Keresztes