Wooden fish: legend about the origin of the tool, composition, use

The wooden fish is an ancient musical instrument of the percussion group. This is a hollow pad for beating the rhythm. Used in Buddhist monasteries during religious ceremonies. The shape of the fish symbolizes never-ending prayer, as these waterfowl are believed to be continuously awake.

The unusual musical instrument has been known since the first decade of the XNUMXrd century AD. A beautiful legend tells about the origin of the wooden drum: once the child of a high official fell overboard of a boat, they could not save him. After several days of unsuccessful searches, the official asked the Korean monk Chung San Pwel Sa to perform the funeral ritual. During the singing, enlightenment descended on the monk. He told the official to buy the biggest fish in the market. When the belly was cut, a miraculously surviving child turned out to be inside. In honor of this salvation, the happy father gave the seer a musical instrument in the form of a fish with an open mouth and an empty stomach.

The drum has undergone changes, acquired a round shape, reminiscent of a large wooden bell. Until now, it is used in East Asian countries by followers of Buddhism while reading sutras to keep the rhythm.