Rare Early Sambaso Dancer Rattle Suzu Bells
April 2014 Auction by Far East Asian Art

This unusual cluster of Japanese hand bells, called “suzu” bells, was actually once used by an actor portraying a Sambaso dancer. Late Edo/early Meiji period (mid-1800’s). There is a wooden handle, an engraved brass hand plate and fittings, and thirteen brass bells on three rungs -- two bells on the top rung, four in the middle and seven on the bottom.

Sambaso is an auspicious ritual dance of ancient origin which was intended to appease the gods and bring good fortune...