Gagaku Instrument: Shoko |
Bronz gong Kamakura period, dated 1304 Gift of Ii Family |
The shoko is a dish-shaped percussion instrument, which is hung from a stand and played with wooden drumsticks held in each hand. This example had been preserved at Yakushiji Temple in Nara. The mei signature on the side gives the date of production, making it a very rare dated example.