Please translate and identify

I found this vintage kabuki bell "I believe" and need help translating the inscription. New to Antiquers and figured this is a good start. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

Welcome to the forums!

I really really know nothing about Kabuki bells or any Japanese bells. I have looked at a couple of Japanese porcelain marks sites hoping to identify some of the Japanese character marks on this bell. The only thing I can say is that the 2 characters in the oblong cartouche at the bottom of the markings is some sort of a lucky pharse in Japanese. On the left side is the character Kisha for Lucky. At the moment don't know what the character on the right. The phrase would be read something Lucky or Lucky something. Here are the characters for Lucky Omen: 吉祥 or 吉兆.

Now the face on this bell could be portraying the face found on the Darma dolls good luck charms.

"Daruma, or Daruma Dolls, are a Japanese good luck charm. They are a highly stylized representation of a 6th monk known as Bodhidharma. ...
...
"The farmers put pressure on the temple to come up with better good luck charms whenever a season failed. This resulted in the good luck charm innovation that produced Daruma.

"... They are hollow papier-mache charms that come in a variety of styles that are usually cute. They are traditionally sold without pupils. You fill in one pupil when you set a goal and fill the other when the goal is achieved."

Here is more on the Daruma dolls with pic. As they are used as good luck charms, possibly this bell was considered a good luck charm, especially with the character for lucky on it.
http://www.japan-talk.com/jt/new/daruma

--- Susan

 

Welcome, Mario! Unfortunately I have nothing to add to help with your question.

 

Hola and welcome, Mario!

 

WELCOME Mario!!! A good place to both learn and teach if you have a particular expertise!!! Lots of GREAT ANTIQUERS here MOST willing to share their knowledge!!!!!