Bronze bell No. 10 from the Kamo-Iwakura site

National treasure. The center of the handle is inscribed with a picture of a turtle, whose head is turned to the right. It is known that most turtles portrayed on Yayoi metal implements and pottery are freshwater turtles. So, it is pretty rare that an oceanic turtle was depicted in this way. The design of this dotaku may have been inspired by the myths people associated with the world of Kitatsu-umi, or the Japan Sea, which turtles travelled across to lay eggs.