Small-sized bells (in one theory, ones under approximately 51.5 cm in diameter), called Hansho (Kansho, Densho), have a high-pitched sound used for not only Buddhist rites but also as an alarm bell for fires, etc.
小型のもの（一説には直径1尺7寸以下）は半鐘（喚鐘、殿鐘）といい高い音で、用途も仏事以外に火事などの警報目的でも使われる。