Mu yü

Mu yü (Chin.: wooden fish), ritual *slit drum of China, carved out of a block of camphorwood, formerly in form of a fish with a small ball in its interior, nowadays more like a human head. The exterior is lacquered. The mu yü is either placed on a cushion or suspended and is struck with a heavy stick. Both Taoist and Buddhist priests use it at services when collecting alms and to mark time when reciting prayers. It corresponds to the mo kugyo of Japan, the mo ko of Korea. Up to 30 cm. (12 in.)…