Thursday, April 23, 2015

Mystery Object Revealed: Muyu, or Wooden Temple Bells



Those who have visited Buddhist or Taoist temples surely have seen Chinese temple blocks, called muyu (木魚, literally wooden fish). These hollow blocks are struck with a mallet to produce a sharp sound, used to accompany chanting or religious recitation. 

The Mystery Object, a muyu carved with facing dragons. 

Part of a very old tradition, muyu are still found in every Chinese temple, usually elaborately carved and resting on a cushion. The temple versions can be quite large, from a foot or so across to some monsters wider than a meter, although size seems to have little to do with the volume or tone produced.



This side view makes its musical function more readily apparent.

The above two-dragon muyu is exceptional for the appeal of its conception and the quality of its carving. Muyu traditionally feature a motif of two fish centering a pearl, a common theme in Chinese art, previously seen in this rock-crystal paperweight/brush rest.


Here are some more muyu, showing a variety of forms:

This muyu of traditional form, also painted red, clearly shows the traditional two fish motif.

The fish motif here has become very rudimentary, but oddly the pearl is sharply and clearly defined.

The carving here has been reduced to two simple scaly patches. Notice the beveled striking surface. 

The bell-like structure of the above three muyu is clearly visible in this bottom view. These three are about 4-5 inches across, slightly smaller than the dragon model.


Usually the original mallets are lost, but with a little searching, old examples can turn up.

 
This black-painted example is a larger, table-top model, with a carved fish below, supporting the sounding block, in turn carved with scenes of leaping fish. The top has the Chinese characters, 阿彌陀佛 (Emituofo, or  Amitabha), one of the names of the Buddha, indicating its religious use.

The reverse side shows a similar level of carving.


A good way to keep the muyu and beater together is to tie them with a strip of red cloth. The stick-mounted block shown below is another favorite, for its sharp black and red color scheme, its matching beater, and the gem-like knobs on the handles.






Most of these muyu are still quite functional. There is no way to tell from the size or appearance how they will sound, you simply have to try them out. One miniature two-inch version, made of boxwood, is so loud that it practically hurts your ears.

Muyu are especially appealing to me because of my general interest in musical instruments. Like many Chinese antiques, they are decorative, surprisingly functional, and full of traditional symbolism. They embody that essential Chinese character, built up from centuries of tradition, that makes them so visually arresting and rewarding to study.




PS: I found this demonstration of the sound of the muyu on Youtube. Of course, older ones may sound different because of age, use or cracking, but many are still perfect.




All photos and original objects property of the author.

30 comments:

  1. Hello Jim - I will definitely remember a muyu when I see one again. I imagine that they makes a hollow resonance - rather like banging two coconut halves together to create the sound of horses hooves. I rather like the muyu with the kissing fish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Rosemary, Thank you for reminding me to include a link to a muyu video, which I added at the bottom of the post. It does rather have the sound that you imagine. (I like the red one too, because of its color and deep carving.)

      I think that based on the dragon muyu's robust shape, you and others were imagining a use that was more active and direct than a block just waiting to be struck.
      --Jim

      Delete
  2. Thank you for relieving my curiosity so quickly. I would never have guessed its purpose otherwise. I always learn something from your informative posts, thank you Jim!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello CD, I am sure that if you find yourself near a Chinese temple in San Francisco, you will find these in use, or at least resting on an altar or table. --Jim

      Delete
  3. Fascinating! I never would have guessed that. I listened to the video--a nice, hollow sound. It's fun to think of the beautiful old ones you show us being played. I can glimpse how it might be to hear them in a temple--a lovely image.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jen, You have given me an idea for the future, to make a video of these being played one after the other, so the variations in sound could be compared. I'm sure the hardest part would be getting my old Youtube account to work. --Jim

      Delete
    2. That would be amazing! I hope you do it. There's something called vimeo that a lot of people use not for videos. Not sure how it compares to youtube.

      Delete
    3. Thanks for the tip. I've seen links to Vimeo before; I really should check it out as an alternative to Youtube.

      Delete
  4. Dearest Jim,
    What an interesting item; and hence that spot where the Muyu got hit by the beater! It all makes sense by looking at it again but it is hard when guessing from a Western world; far remote from all such objects and culture... Your love for the detail of this fascinating culture is shining through.
    Thanks for keeping us captivated!
    Kindest regards,
    Mariette

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Mariette, Some people noticed the worn spot, but assumed that it was through some sort of abrasion or rubbing; if they had thought of the object being struck, I am sure that they would have guessed right away. The funny thing is that in the world of percussion musical instruments, these muyu-shaped woodblocks have been adopted directly into Western bands and orchestras, even to this day being called wooden fish in English. --Jim

      Delete
  5. Hello Jim,

    We can always rely upon you to broaden our knowledge and this is a fascinating post on the Muyu.

    We listened to the little video and were surprised at how much sound came from a small Muyu. We imagined that it would be just a dainty tinkle but it really resonated. Clearly, these are not only decorative items but are very well designed for their practical use as sound making instruments.

    The red two dragon Muyu was our favourite. The quality of the carving is impressive and the colour has great appeal, especially with its patina of age.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Jane and Lance, Many of these do sound quite nice, and as I mentioned above, you have to test them individually, as there is no way to predict sound quality. For home use, though, I am not quite sure to what use these could be put.

      I agree with you about the double-dragon muyu; it is one of those items that each time you see it, the more you like it. There is also something humorous about its plumpness, a quality not often associated with dragons. I'll have to find a little cushion for it to display it traditionally and to its best advantage. --Jim

      Delete
  6. Hello, Jim,

    This past year I've been practicing Tai Chi (and enjoying it very much!). The very day after I suggested that your mystery object might have been a counter-weight of some sort, I saw a muyu at the Tai Chi center. It is smooth and elegant, but doesn't have the character of the ones in your collection. I'm guessing that your many mystery objects could someday become an interesting museum wing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Mark, Good for you for taking up tai chi.Do they use the muyu to accompany exercise? (It's funny how once things are brought to your attention, you start seeing them everywhere.) Tai chi and other martial arts have spawned a huge area of collecting on their own, especially the mock weapons used for practice and demonstration.

      Thanks also for your application of the word "museum" to my treasures--there are some who would not use such a generous term! --Jim

      Delete
    2. The center at which I practice Tai Chi is an independent building with a very large room taking up about 80% of the floor space. At one end is a temple-like arrangement, though I have never seen it used. So to answer your question, no, the muyu do not accompany the exercises. My classes are 1½ hours long and are broken in half with a break for hot herbal tea. It's early in the morning and a splendid way to begin the day.

      Delete
    3. Your exercise routine sounds quite pleasant, but unfortunately I belong more to the Endymion school when it comes to such early rising. --Jim

      Delete
  7. I was WAY off! Interesting. I remember studying Japanese Jomon bronze bells, dotaku, when I was in college but those were a very different shape and much more primitive. The rounded muyu bells are so refined, especially with those beautiful dragon carvings.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Ann, I suppose that the term bell does not really fit these items, because although bell-shaped, they do not ring or reverberate. Block is the more usual term, and they are also kin to what are known as slit drums.

      When I used to check the auction catalogs regularly, I always cast an envious eye at the Jomon items, which have their special appeal. Alas, the good pieces were always well above my price range! --Jim

      Delete
  8. What treasures! These bring back memories of visits to temples when I was young. I can still smell the scents of incense, and hear the chants of the monks. And then the loud gongs from these muyu!! I never know the name, so thank you, Jim.
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Loi, Last weekend we went to Banqiao (next to Taipei) for dinner, and stopped at the old Jieyun Temple there. I noticed that on the altar was a huge muyu, covered with a net, and next to it a normal-sized version that apparently was the one that got the most use. --Jim

      Delete
  9. Hi Jim. I was able to read this post on the road but couldn't respond. What a surprise to learn what the object is. I'm not sure in any of my past temple visits that I've heard them in use, but I will pay special attention on my upcoming trip if we visit more temples. Surely in Japan we may have the chance.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Barbara, Both Taiwan and Japan will certainly be great places to see muyu--literally every temple should have several (see the comment above). In case you want to ask your Chinese-speaking hosts about them, the pinyin is mù yú (木魚). Japan in particular has some of the best of the older elongated-fish forms. --Jim

      Delete
  10. These artful objects are so unique and intriguing! Thank you so much for sharing these delightful images!!

    xoxo
    Karena
    The Arts by Karena
    Giveaway from The Enchanted Home!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Karena, I am glad that you liked these instruments. The whole tradition of the muyu takes the ordinary woodblock and transforms it into these exotic forms, adding symbolism and associations to their basic function. --Jim

      Delete
  11. I kind of love the idea of kissing dragons. Usually they just fly around and breathe fire;).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Lisa, It's interesting contemplating the intersections of Eastern and Western dragons. Chinese dragons usually do not breathe fire, although they are often associated with flaming pearls or balls. Moreover, I have a breakthrough in this area which just requires a better camera and photography before the grand unveiling. --Jim

      Delete
  12. When I heard the sound of muyu, I felt very calm. You understand pin yin. Awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello roughterrain crane, Yes, there are lots of interesting sounds coming from the temples, some calming, some more lively! Living in Taiwan, you get used to all kinds of writing systems in addition to the characters--pinyin, zhuyin, Wade-Giles, and all the bizarre variations that have cropped up. --Jim

      Delete
  13. They are beautiful Jim! I was thinking while reading your post that I wished I could hear one and then found your link!! Love the sound, I was mesmerized!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello Joan, Sometimes the plainest examples have the best sound; I never played these much, except for a few seconds for demonstration. I was thinking when I read your recent post showing your comfortable reading room filled with collected treasures that it is a shame that all of my things have to be in storage right now. --Jim

      Delete

I would love to know what you think. Please feel free to comment--no tricky security words required! Any difficulties or questions, email at: clavicytherium@yahoo.com