Clappers

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Clappers from the Temple Raikyuu-Ji
Takahashi, Okayama Pref.

Hyooshigi　拍子木、頼久寺 高梁市



Photo by Gabi Greve


They are usually made of a hard wood (kashi wood) and used to announce various ceremonies. They are nicely polished and have a great shine.

© Gabi Greve

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

There are two kinds of clappers, Hyôshigi (22 and 23) in use in a Zen monastery. They are solid pieces of hard wood:
the larger ones may be somewhat longer than one foot in length and the smaller ones about half a foot.
The latter are used in the Zendo while the former are used outside, for instance, when the monks are about to eat, when the bath is ready, and on other occasions.

Look at a great page with more examples of

The Sound Instruments in the Zen Monastery (Daruma Library)

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Daruma Museum, Japan