Bronze gong used at a tea ceremony
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Bronze gong used at a tea ceremony |
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HISTORY Manufacturing developed as tea ceremony gained popularity Bronze gongs are round disks like musical instruments. The origin of the instrument is said to be in the ancient southern islands of Java and Sumatra. The instruments were used in wars to encourage solders or to send signals. Later the instruments were brought to China and were used in religious ceremonies. The gong came to Japan through Korean Peninsula. In Ishikawa Prefecture, gong manufacturing developed as tea ceremony gained popularity. CHARACTERISTICS "Navels" make the difference in sound In general, bronze gongs are divided into two groups; one with navel-like projection and the other without. One with projection makes clear single sound and one without makes harmony of sounds. The material used in bronze gong is sahari, or alloy of copper and tin. Sahari is one of the most difficult metal to alloy. |