Answer to Question 1
The bell phrase consists of unequal lengths of strokes, long and short (asymmetry), but the duration of a bell phrase is a symmetrical unit, a literal measure of the time.
The axatse and kaganu tones mark that measure (of the duration of the bell phrase) into four equal ternary units.
Answer to Question 2
All of their phrases can be related to the four- and six-feel beat.