Moktak (목탁)

Description

The sound of the moktak is an important part of temple life in the monasteries of China, Korea, and Japan. This hollow wooden percussion instrument is the first sound heard in the morning, waking the Community from sleep, calling everyone to the Buddha Hall for morning practice, and signalling the start of mealtimes. It is also used throughout the day during ceremonies and daily chanting; it rolls down to signal the bows during the rubato melody of the Homage to the Three Jewels and keeps the tempo during the Heart Sutra, the 1000 Eyes and Hands Sutra and Kwan Se Um Bosal chanting.

Moktak (hangeul: 목탁; hanja: 木鐸) refers to a smaller-sized, hand-held variant, whereas mogeo (hangeul: 목어; hanja: 木魚) means a full-sized piece that resembles a fish or dragon, with a hollow core. Moktak, a small version of mogeo (wooden fish), can come with ornaments, or not, and is more oblong in shape.

Unlike the Chinese and Japanese versions, which are ornately carved and usually sit on a cushion on the floor, the Korean moktak has a simpler form and is usually hand-held. The Korean word moktak has two parts: mok means “wood” and tak means “hit”. Originally, however, because the instrument looks like a fish with its mouth open, the Chinese word was muyu. Mu means “wood” and yu means “fish”.

Our moktaks are obtained from the leading hand-manufacturer in Korea. They are individually handcrafted in a small workshop and tested individually for clarity of sound and soulfulness.

By purchasing this moktak, not only are you benefiting your daily practice, but you are also supporting small local handicraft workers in Korea who are engaged in preserving this ancient tradition.