338 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol.59. 



hours of prayer. The worshippers also strike them to invite the 

 presence of the deity. Drums are likewise used in Buddhist worship 

 to accompany the chanting of the priests. Diameter of the bell, 

 16 inches; height, 7£ inches; height of the frame, 36 inches. Japan. 

 (Cat. No. 168815, U.S.N.M.) 



282, 283. Pair of temple drums. — Set on four-legged lacquered 

 wooden stands and surmounted by cocks. The circumferences of 

 the drums are covered with red cloth. On the flattened surfaces 

 are painted three comma-shaped segments, the Japanese modifica- 

 tion of the Chinese (and Korean) tah-gook, formed of two segments, 

 the common representation of the yang and yin, the two first causes 

 and great principles of the universe, or contrary influences, such as 

 darkness and light, male and female, good and evil, etc. The figure 

 also represents the Japanese magatama, or "crooked jewel," one of 

 the emblems of sovereignty in Japan, As regards the cocks perched 

 on top of the drums, Dr. John EUerton Lodge, curator of Chinese 

 and Japanese art in the Museum of Fine Arts of Boston, kindly 

 communicated the following interesting story: 



The familiar Japanese or Chinese design of a cock on a drum is intended to suggest 

 a well-known story of the famous Emperor Yao, who is said to have ascended the 

 throne of China in the year 2357 B.C. This enlightened monarch caused a drum to 

 be placed in front of his palace gate, with the announcement that whoever had any 

 complaint to make to the sovereign should come to the gate and beat upon the drum, 

 thereby attracting the Emperor's attention. So wisely, however, did this ruler 

 govern his people, that none ever came to enter a complaint, and i n the course of time 

 the fowls went to roost on the silent drum. 



Height, 26 inches. Japan. (Plate 84, Cat. No. 159966, U.S.N.M.) 



284. Wooden fish (Japanese, molcugio; Chinese, mo-yii). — Carved 

 and red lacquered. Used as drum in Buddhist ceremonies. The 

 shape is accounted for by the supposition that the fish is sleepless, 

 keeping its eyes always open on account of the lack of eyelids and 

 eyelashes. It is therefore an emblem of wakefulness and watch- 

 fulness in the striving after perfection. Height, 12 inches; length 

 18 inches. Japan. (Plate 85, front; plate 86, back. Cat. No. 

 150893, U.S.N.M.) 



285. Wooden fish (Chinese, mo-yii; Japanese, molcugio). — Carved, 

 and painted red, with wooden mallet for striking it. Similar to the 

 preceding No. 284. Height, 10£ inches; length, 14 inches. Shang- 

 hai, China. (Cat. No. 158296, U.S.N.M.) 



286. Wooden drum (Chinese, siao-ku). — Shaped like two flat 

 plates put together. It is carried by the priest in processions and 

 struck on the side. Diameter, 1\ inches. Shanghai, China. (Cat. 

 No. 155300, U.S.N.M.) 



287. The nine-toned oeU (Chinese, chin yin-lo). — Made of copper. 

 Consisting of 10 small gongs suspended in a screen or gate-like cabinet 

 which is struck with a small stick as an accompaniment to prayer. 



