![](https://imagevietnam.vnanet.vn/Upload/2018/2/1/01022018094553858-09-NGHE-MO-XU-THAN-KINH-THANH-HOA_resize.JPG)
The roughly shaped bells are even and round…
![](https://imagevietnam.vnanet.vn/Upload/2018/2/1/01022018094555964-23-NGHE-MO-XU-THAN-KINH-THANH-HOA_resize.JPG)
…and are made from first-class yellow and reddish brown jackfruit wood.
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Due to their different sizes, the patterns on each bell are drawn and carved manually without following any certain form.
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Artisans often sit with their legs holding the bells while carving them.
![](https://imagevietnam.vnanet.vn/Upload/2018/2/1/01022018094554482-13-NGHE-MO-XU-THAN-KINH-THANH-HOA_resize.JPG)
Young Pham Ngoc Ro is a skilled carver of decorative patterns.
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The beauty of every bell largely depends on the hands of its carver.
![](https://imagevietnam.vnanet.vn/Upload/2018/2/1/01022018094558444-37-NGHE-MO-XU-THAN-KINH-THANH-HOA_resize.JPG)
Pham Ngoc Phuc, a grandchild of Pham Ngoc Du, calculates carefully the position for hollowing
the sound box of every bell.
![](https://imagevietnam.vnanet.vn/Upload/2018/2/1/01022018094556229-25-NGHE-MO-XU-THAN-KINH-THANH-HOA_resize.JPG)
The techniques for splitting a bell to make its sound box are decisive in creating the bell’s sound.
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A small flashlight is the only source of light for Pham Ngoc Thanh Hai, another grandchild of Pham Ngoc Du,
to see the inside of the wood block while chiseling.
![](https://imagevietnam.vnanet.vn/Upload/2018/2/1/01022018094553515-04-NGHE-MO-XU-THAN-KINH-THANH-HOA_resize.JPG)
In Buddhist culture, a wooden bell is the main instrument to keep rhythm for sutra reciters. |