The Korean word "moktak" has two parts: "Mok" means wood and "tak" means hit. However, originally the word was "mok o." The Japanese call it "mokugyo." "Moku" means wood, "gyo" means fish, because the instrument looks like a fish with its mouth open.
There is a very interesting story about the origin of this instrument. A long time ago, in China, there was a monk called Chung San Poep Sa. Near the city where he lived was a large and beautiful lake that was very famous. One day a high government official and his family went boating on the lake. As they were enjoying the beautiful day, the official's young baby accidentally fell overboard. Stricken with grief, the official engaged local fishermen to find the body of his baby, but their search was unsuccessful. Sadly, he went to Chung San Poep Sa and said he would like to do a ceremony for his dead baby, but the body could not be found.
Chung San Poep Sa went into deep meditation and perceived what had happened. He told the government official to go to the nearby fish market and buy a fish. So early the next morning they went to the fish market and Chung San Poep Sa selected a very big fish. They cut the fish open and found the baby inside. To the family's surprise, the baby was miraculously still alive. They were all very happy!
After the day's events, the official vowed to help all fish for saving the life of his baby. So our moktak is shaped like a fish, with an open mouth and a hollow stomach. When you hit the moktak, a good sound appears. The meaning of the moktak sound is that the baby is still here; all fish can hear the sound and get enlightenment.
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