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Wood block
Vernacular name:Muyu
Vernacular name:Mokugyo
Date: 1900-1925 ca.
Place Made:China, Asia
Serial No: none
Signednone
MarkingsSeveral characters carved on one side of instrument.
DescriptionCarved, wooden slit drum, commonly referred to as a temple block. Hollow, unfinished interior. Exterior body lacquered red with black-and-gold details. The Chinese muyu is struck to invoke a sense of watchfulness since it is symbolic of a fish, which is thought to remain awake both day and night. The mokugyo, imported into Japan sometime during the 13th century, is identical to its Chinese ancestor. Slit drums like this are often paired with the kin (bowl gong) during the recitation of sutra in the Zen Buddhist tradition.
DimensionsHeight: 360 mm
Terms
Credit Line: Arne B. Larson Collection, 1979
Not on view
Object number: 02436