On the Position of the Holes of the Bell-Shaped Bronze

Abstract

When a bell-shaped bronze is placed with its fins in the east-west line, the directions connecting special combination of two holes point to neibourhood of the equator of the celestial shere. This enables the sun-beam to pass through the bell-shaped bronze on the day of vernal equinox. Its shape suggests that it may be used to determine the date of the vernal equinox of every year. The bell-shaped bronze may be a ritual tool of a ceremony of the vernal equinox day on the Yayoi-era of Japan. The backgrounds of this ritual custum on the social circumstances at the early period of rice production in Japan, are discussed.