Antique Japanese Gyoban Fish

Traditionally hung at the entrances of Buddhist monasteries, the Gyoban is a fish-shaped wooden drum used to signal routine activities such as meals and lectures. This 19th-century example is carved from a single piece of wood and bears distinct drumming marks along its underside—a testament to its long history of use. A metal fitting, added to the tail in the early 20th century, allows it to hang securely without compromising the integrity of the wood. One of a kind.