Wind Chimes in Japan: A Soothing Sound with a Mysterious Past

As summer arrives, the gentle tinkling sound of wind chimes can be heard drifting through the air. Known as one of the quintessential symbols of summer in Japan, wind chimes actually originated as tools for divination. In this article, we’ll explore the fascinating history of wind chimes.

What Are Wind Chimes?

The origin of wind chimes is believed to be the Chinese divination tool called "Senfūtaku" (占風鐸), which used a bell known as a "fūtaku" (風鐸). During the Tang Dynasty in China, bronze fūtaku bells were hung around bamboo groves, and the way they rang was used to predict good or bad fortune. These bells were introduced to Japan during the Nara period by envoys to Tang China, along with Buddhism. At first, they were hung from the eaves of temples as protective charms to ward off evil.

Later, during the Heian period, the custom of hanging fūtaku on the roofs of aristocratic residences as talismans against evil spread, and over time, they came to be known as "fūrin" (wind chimes).

The glass wind chimes we often see today were first made during the Edo period, when glass culture was introduced from the West. However, at that time, glass was rare and expensive, making it inaccessible to common people. Eventually, as glass products became more affordable, wind chimes spread among the general public. It is said that the custom of displaying them in summer also began around this time.

Fūrin ya / Mimi ni suzushiki / Oto hitotsu
("A wind chime— / A single sound / cools the ear")

This haiku was written by Kobayashi Issa, a prominent poet of the Edo period. From this verse, we can see that the sound of wind chimes was cherished as something that brought a sense of coolness.

The Hidden Effects of Wind Chime Sounds

Did you know that the sound of wind chimes can have various beneficial effects?
1. Relaxation Effect
Sounds that contain high-frequency tones and overtones—like those of wind chimes—can help stabilize the autonomic nervous system, calming heart rate and blood pressure. According to a university study, participants who listened to wind chimes reported feeling “comfortable,” “cool,” and “relaxed.” The study also confirmed that wind chime sounds increase alpha brain waves, which are associated with relaxation.
2. Lowering Perceived Temperature
Simply hearing the sound of wind chimes can make people feel cooler, regardless of the actual temperature. This is due to a phenomenon called “cross-modal perception,” where different senses—such as sight, smell, touch, hearing, and taste—interact and influence each other. For Japanese people, wind chimes are deeply familiar, and they unconsciously associate the sound with wind and coolness. However, this is a uniquely Japanese cultural response, and most foreigners do not feel cooler when hearing wind chimes.
3. Improved Focus and Attention
Another university study found that the sound of wind chimes resembles natural sounds like rain or birdsong. When participants worked while listening to wind chimes, their concentration tended to improve.
4. Promoting Sleep
Wind chime sounds contain a soothing rhythm known as “1/f fluctuation,” which is common in nature. Research shows that this rhythm resonates well with human biological rhythms and can help promote sleep.

Structure of a Wind Chime

Structure of a Wind Chime

Let’s take a closer look at the structure of a wind chime.
It’s quite simple and consists of three main parts: the body, the clapper, and the strip.
The body refers to the bell-shaped outer part. When the wind blows, it catches the strip, causing the clapper—suspended by a string—to swing and strike the body, producing sound.

Edo Wind Chimes, Nambu Iron—Distinctive Wind Chimes from Across Japan

Here are some representative types of wind chimes made in various regions of Japan:
Edo Wind Chimes
These glass wind chimes are made in Tokyo using traditional techniques passed down since the Edo period.
Currently, only two workshops—Shinohara Fūrin Honpo and Shinohara Maruyoshi Fūrin—are officially recognized as Edo wind chime makers.
They use a technique called chūbuki (free-blowing), where glass is shaped by blowing air without molds, resulting in a round form.
The edges of the glass are intentionally left jagged, which helps produce a beautiful, resonant sound.
Another unique feature is the hand-painted artwork on the inside of the chime.

Nambu Iron Wind Chimes
As the name suggests, these wind chimes are made from Nambu ironware.
Crafted from high-quality iron sand, Nambu iron wind chimes have a solid, heavy appearance.
Despite their weight, they produce a clearer and higher-pitched sound than glass wind chimes.

Takaoka Wind Chimes
Made using the techniques of Takaoka Dōki (Takaoka copperware), a traditional craft from Takaoka City in Toyama Prefecture.
These wind chimes are primarily made of brass, which is easy to shape, allowing for intricate designs.
They produce a sound that is even higher and more resonant than iron wind chimes.

Odawara Cast Metal Wind Chimes
These are made using casting techniques passed down since the Muromachi period.
Currently, they are produced exclusively by the Kashiwagi Art Institute.
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Myōchin Hibashi Wind Chimes
Created by the Myōchin family, a lineage of armor makers in Himeji City, Hyōgo Prefecture, dating back to the Heian period.
After the Meiji Restoration, demand for armor declined, and the family began making fire tongs instead.
A custom emerged of gifting Myōchin fire tongs as protective charms.
Inspired by the pleasant sound produced when the tongs touch, the Myōchin Hibashi Wind Chime was born.

Summary

In addition to these, wind chimes made from tin, ceramics, and other materials are produced and sold throughout Japan.
Do wind chimes really help with relaxation and concentration?
This summer, why not hang a wind chime in your room and experience its effects for yourself?