RIDGE / min.bell

【comment】

When I arrived and opened it, my first impression was, "It's tiny!" But once I rang it, I was captivated by the sound it made. Bear bells are a tool to alert bears to the presence of humans, but many of them are loud (this is intentional as it allows the sound to reach a wider area), and can end up interfering with the sounds of nature (wind, birds, insects, etc.).
This min.bell is compact and has a low volume. However, it does not interfere with the sounds of nature and its clear sound is actually quite pleasant.

[The idea behind the creation of this product]

Being in the quiet mountains can make you feel at peace, but at times you may suddenly be overcome with anxiety, as if something is lurking there.

When walking along a deserted mountain path, if you suddenly feel the bushes sway or sense a presence other than the wind, you will find yourself stopping in your tracks. I have had this experience many times myself. Still, I was reluctant to hang a large bear bell and have it jingle constantly, so I often ended up leaving the bell at home.

When I feel anxious, I try banging my trekking poles together to make a loud clanging noise, but there are limits to this.

"min.bell" was born from that experience.

Its compact size, like a charm, makes it easy to carry around. Another special consideration was the sound it produces. The clear sound of the bells resonates with just a gentle shake, blending gently into the natural air without disturbing the tranquility of the mountains.

Even when you're enveloped in uneasy silence, the clear sound of the min.bell will pleasantly resonate, subtly letting you know of its presence. Its discreet design allows it to be quietly stored in your pocket when not in use.

Of course, carrying a min.bell does not guarantee complete protection from bear encounters. There is scientific debate about the effectiveness of bear bells, and it is true that their effectiveness cannot be said to be absolute. While there have been cases where bears have noticed the sound of the bell and avoided it, there is no guarantee that it will definitely prevent an encounter.

However, I think of bear bells as a form of emotional support to help prevent unexpected encounters. If you want to be perfect, it's effective to take other measures as well, such as speaking out loud, traveling in groups, and intentionally making loud noises.

I think the most effective way to use a bear bell is to carry it with you with the feeling that "it's much better than doing nothing."

【material】

Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc. Its history dates back to around 1000 BC, when it was used as a material for currency in the Roman Empire, and in Japan during the Nara period, brass products brought over from China were stored in the Shosoin Repository.

Currently, the most familiar brass item is the 5 yen coin, and in addition to being used for interior and architectural hardware, brass is also popular as Buddhist altar fittings and musical instruments due to its clear tone. At Nousaku, all brass products are handmade by artisans, and different finishes give them different looks.

[Spec]

Material: Main body: brass, Triangle ring: iron (plated)
Size: 25mm high x 20mm wide (body only)
Weight: Approx. 20g (including included S-biner)
Country of origin: Japan
Producer: Nousaku Co., Ltd., Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture

[Tone]

This is the sound of "min.bell." Please play the video and listen.
*In the video, the handle is the same as the one sold in 2024, with a string attached, but the tone remains the same.

*Since each piece is handmade, there may be slight individual differences in pitch, lowness, and volume.
Please be aware of this.