Vision

The sound of the orin, a Buddhist ritual implement, is said to ward off evil spirits. Nanjo is one of only a few orin artisans in Japan who are dedicated to crafting by hand. While orins are typically made from brass, Nanjo's craft begins with the highly skilled creation of "sahari," an alloy made from melted copper and tin. The orin, created by pouring the sahari into a cooled mold after careful consideration of various factors, including the furnace's heat, the melting point, the outside temperature, and humidity, produces an exceptionally clear tone with a clear, steady, lingering sound. Each individually tuned orin can also be played in an ensemble with other instruments. Beyond Buddhist ceremonies, Nanjo is promoting the beauty of orin to many people while also developing his 190-year-old family business for future generations, offering new products that promote mental health through the worlds of art and music, and through the simple yet profound sound of the bell. By revitalizing both the metal craft and the market for orin, Nanjo hopes to show the next generation of users and makers alike the potential of traditional Japanese orin.