Gyo

Unknown

19th century · wood · Musical Instruments

Using a whisk-like split bamboo rod the player strikes the tiger's head three times, then creates a "purring" effect by rubbing the rod across the smiling feline's notched back. This scraping motion marks the conclusion of a Confucian hymn. In Japan where this gyo was made Confucianism was rare but in China prior to the 1911 Revolution the yü, as it was called there, enjoyed a 3,000 year history. Koreans, who still maintain traditional ritual, call it o. In more traditional forms the tiger is painted white, a symbol of the western region and Autumn, and, in keeping with this symbolism, is placed in the west side of the ceremonial hall, a location that connotes Harvest, Sunset, and Death. The inscription on this tiger's forehead means "music."

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

wood

Culture

Japanese

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889