When it comes to clock towers, Shinto temples, cows, boats, doors, Independence Hall and most bars at last call, there's only one word that, well, rings a bell. They can ring, sing, chime, clang and ...

Coming back to Japan, one tends to notice things anew. For me, returning from a stay in Ireland, I picked up on what seems to be the constant tinkling of little bells. Of course, they've always been ...