Post Road Gallery
Fine Antique Clocks

"Early and Important Japanese Bell Clock"
(Tsurigane dokei)

Japanese, Circa 1700
Bronze Bell with Iron Movement
Inscribed with Japanese Characters
Engraved Dial with applied and silvered decorations
Dragon form handle
An inscription on the bell reads Fukushima ya Katsutaro, 1689. This may be the maker of the clock or bell.

Prior to 1872 Japan had an early form of timekeeping that divided the day and night into six hours and adjusted the length of these hours depending on the season.