Japanese Temple Drum (Mokugyo)

Art

Mauna Kea Beach Hotel

Name/Title

Japanese Temple Drum (Mokugyo)

Entry/Object ID

MK_0054

Description

This distinctive wooden artefact is known as a mokugyo - a Buddhist ritual temple percussion beater. Originating from the Japanese Edo period in the 19th century, it would have been used to keep the rhythm of sutra chanting for the Zen, Tendai, and Jodo Buddhism sects. Finished with red and black lacquer, its rounded body is carved in an ornate dragon scale pattern, while the top of the instrument forms the shape of two facing dragon heads holding a ball - the symbol of the universe. The design is typical of the mokyugos of the period, which were carved from wood or cast in bronze and other metals, and often took the form of a hollow fish or two fish, meeting at the top in a similar fashion to this peice. The hotel has an number of alternative wooden and bronze temple beaters of this type on display in our bespoke bell collection, housed on the third floor. This peice was recently restored by the hotel. Now residing on the sixth floor of the Main Tower, you may have also previously seen this peice in the hotel's main lobby, prior to its restoration.

Artwork Details

Medium

Wood

Made/Created

Artist

Artist unknown

Time Period

19th Century

Place

Country

Japan

Continent

Asia

Dimensions

Height

24 in

Width

12 in

Length

24 in

Height

60 in

Width

30 in

Length

30 in

Main Tower