From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wooden fish
Wooden fish
ment is similarly shaped like a jingle bell). The sound can
differ amongst wooden fish depending on the size, type
of wood used, and how hollow the wooden fish is. The in-
strument is carved with fish scales on its top, and a carv-
ing of two fish heads embracing a pearl on the handle (to
symbolize unity), hence the instrument is called a wood-
en fish for that reason. In Buddhism the fish, which never
sleeps, symbolizes wakefulness. Therefore, it is to remind
the chanting monks to concentrate on their sutra. Often
the mallet used to strike the fish has a rubber coated tip
to provide a muffled, but clear sound when struck.
Wooden fish come in many sizes and shapes, ranging
from 150 millimetres (5.9 in), for laity use or sole daily
practice, or to 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) for usage in temples.
Wooden fish are often (in Chinese temples) placed on
the left of the altar, alongside a bell bowl, its metal per-
cussion counterpart. Wooden fish often rest on a small
embroidered cushion to prevent damage and unpleasant
Wooden fish knocking sounds caused from the fish lying on the sur-
face of a hard table or ground, as well as to avoid damage
"Muyu" redirects here. For the town in Shennongjia to the instrument.
District, see Muyu, Hubei. For the overseas studies Another type of wooden fish is literally in the shape
program, see Woodenfish. of a fish. Along with a large temple bell and drum, It is
found suspended in front of Buddhist monasteries. When
mùyú),
A wooden fish (Chinese: 木魚, pinyin: mùyú (Viet- proceeding with various duties (such as eating, lectures,
namese: mộc ngư (Japanese: mokugyo (木魚)), (Korean:
ngư), or chores), a monk and a supervisor utilize the instru-
shingnya)
moktak ??), (Tibetan: ??????, Wylie: shingnya sometimes ment to call all monastics to go to their tasks. Historical-
block,
known as a Chinese block is a wooden percussion in- ly, this was the first wooden fish developed, which grad-
strument similar to the Western wood block[citation needed]. ually evolved into the round wooden fish used by Bud-
The wooden fish is used by monks and laity in the Ma- dhists today.
hayana Buddhist tradition. It is often used during rituals The Korean version of a wooden fish, or moktak, is
usually involving the recitation of sutras, mantras, or simpler in shape and no design is carved onto the fish.
other Buddhist texts. The wooden fish is mainly used by The moktak is more oblong in shape. A handle is used
Buddhist disciples in China, Japan, Korea, and other East for easy carrying for portable uses of the moktak. Mok-
Asian countries where the practice of Mahayana, such as taks are different in the sense that they provide a deeper,
the ceremonious reciting of sutras, is prevalent. In most more wooden-like hollow sound when struck.
Zen/Ch’an Buddhist traditions, the wooden fish serves
to keep the rhythm during sutra chanting. In Pure Land
Buddhism, it is used when chanting the name of Amitab-
Legends & nomenclature
ha. Many legends describe the origin of the wooden fish -
The Taoist clergy has also adapted the wooden fish most take place in China and Korea. One says that a monk
into their rituals. went to India to acquire sutras. On his way to India, he
found the way blocked by a wide, flooding river. There
appeared neither bridge nor boat[citation needed].
Types of wooden fish Suddenly, a big fish swam up. It offered to carry the
There are two kinds of wooden fish. One is the traditional monk across the river. The fish told the monk that it
instrument that is round in shape and often made out of wanted to atone for a crime committed when it was a hu-
wood (often made out of lumber). The fish is hollow with man. The fish made a simple request, that on the monk’s
a ridge outside of the wooden fish to help provide the way to obtain sutras, to ask the Buddha to guide the fish
genuine hollow sound when striking the fish (the instru- on a method to attain Bodhisattvahood.
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wooden fish
Gallery
A mendicant with a "wooden fish" (sitting in the middle, with a
big hat), drawn by Johan Nieuhof between 1655-1658
The monk agreed to the fish’s request and continued • A Korean-styled wooden fish, called a moktak
his quest for seventeen years. After getting the scrip-
tures, he returned to China via the river, which was
flooding again. As the monk worried about how to cross,
the fish came back to help. It asked if the monk had made
the request to the Buddha. To the monk’s dismay, he
had forgotten. The fish became furious and splashed the
monk, washing him into the river. A passing fisherman
saved him from drowning, but unfortunately the sutras
had been ruined by the water.
The monk went home full of anger. Filled with anger
at the fish, he made a wooden effigy of a fish head. When
he recalled his adversity, he beat the fish head with a
wooden hammer. To his surprise, each time he beat the
wooden fish, the fish opened its mouth and vomited a • Intricate carvings on this huge Mokugyo, over 3-foot
character. He became so happy that, when he had time, (0.91 m) wide.
he always beat the fish. A few years later, he had got back • One of the largest mokugyo in the world, located at
from the wooden fish’s mouth what he had lost to the Hasedera in Kamakura, Japan
flood.
External links
Use in the Chinese Orchestra
Media related to Wooden fish at Wikimedia Commons
When used in the Chinese Orchestra, the wooden fish is
often in sets of 5. It is commonly used to convey a solemn
and religious feel to a piece. However, it has also been
used in fast and lively pieces. An indefinite number of in-
struments may be used in a piece.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wooden_fish&oldid=451370433"
Categories:
• Idiophones
• Chinese musical instruments
• Zen terms
• Buddhist ritual implements
This page was last modified on 19 September 2011 at 18:40. Text is available under the Creative Commons
Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of use for details. Wikipedia® is a registered
trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.Contact us
Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Wooden fish
3