Mu Yu

Period:: Qing dynasty (1644-1911)

Date:: early 20th century

Geography:: Yunnan Province (south), China

Culture:: Chinese

Medium:: Wood, polychrome

Dimensions:: Overall: H. 24.9 x W. 31.5 x D. 17.8cm (9 13/16 x 12 3/8 x 7in.)

Classification:: Idiophone-Struck-slit drum

Credit Line:: Purchase, Amati Gifts, 2006

Accession Number:: 2006.494

Not on view

The fish is a Buddhist symbol of watchfulness, reflecting a belief that the fish never sleeps. This state of wakeful awareness is reinforced by the hollow sound of the muyu, a fish-shaped slit drum used to accompany Buddhist chant. Laid flat and struck on the red circle with a mallet in measured beats, this version, from Yunnan Province, is a less abstract rendering than most temple instruments. The muyu may also be found in vocal and instrumental ensembles of Guangzhou

Timelines
Central and North Asia, 1900 A.D.-present
China, 1900 A.D.-present

Department

Musical Instruments (5,303)

Object Type / Material

Drums (641)

Idiophones (1,513)

Membranophones (659)

Musical instruments (5,344)

Geographic Location

Date / Era

A.D. 1900–present (116,501)

Gulgul

Artist: Date: early 20th century
Accession Number: 2009.431 Date: early 20th century Medium: wood Accession: 2009.431 On view in:Gallery 684

Damaru

Artist: Date: 19th century
Accession Number: 89.4.213 Date: 19th century Medium: Skull, cloth, wax Accession: 89.4.213 On view in:Gallery 684

Tonggu

Artist: Date: before 1889
Accession Number: 89.4.1704 Date: before 1889 Medium: Bronze Accession: 89.4.1704 On view in:Not on view

Dadabuan

Artist: Date: 19th century
Accession Number: 1982.32 Date: 19th century Medium: Wood, mother-of-pearl, skin Accession: 1982.32 On view in:Gallery 684

Gulgul

Artist: Date: late 19th–early 20th century
Accession Number: 2009.430a, b Date: late 19th–early 20th century Medium: wood Accession: 2009.430a, b On view in:Gallery 684