Korea

Korean Buddist

Wood 
Mid 20th century
Width of resonator bell: 6.8 in
Idiophones – Struck Idiophones – Slit Drums

The moktak, or wooden handbell, is an important part of Korean Buddhist temple life and is the most often used instrument in Buddhist ceremonies.  It evolved from the ornately carved wooden fish of the Chinese ‘muyu’ and Japanese ‘mokugyo’ versions; however, the Korean moktak is roundish in shape and usually hand-held with a loop-type handle, all carved from a single piece of wood.  The Korean word moktak means ‘mok’ (wood) and ‘tak (hit).  This simple instrument is used in the morning to call people to the Buddha Hall for morning practice. Throughout the day it is used during ceremonies often as a signaling device, along with accompanying the daily chanting of the sutra (scripture).  The moktak comes in various sizes.

In Korean Buddhism there are two separate words used to distinguish the two types of wooden fish.  Seen here is the moktak, referring to a smaller-sized, handheld variant, and the other one is the Mogeo, a full-sized wooden bell, that is oblong in shape and resembles a fish or dragon, with a hollow core and hung from the ceiling.