Temples of
Buddhism are not the only places where large gongs are to be found here. Residing at the Dongnam District offices in
Cheonan I encountered another such gong.
I happened upon it during one of my regular walks around the city.
These gongs
are huge bell-like structures and I am quite sure they are incredibly
expensive. About seven feet in height they are probably made of bronze and are kept in special open walled structures designed to protect them from the elements. Yet, all Buddhist temples I
have been to here in Korea have one the purpose for which is to announce events
at the temple. The hammer used to ring
the gong is a large log that hangs from ropes and is used to strike the gong at
a perpendicular angle. Such strikes ring
out a deep, clear tone that can be heard at some distances.
Dongnam District Offices sign
The Cheonan City gong and its' protective structure
The gong
The message about the gong by the Cheonan City mayor
Another view of the gong, the striker is to the right and covered by a white cloth
The title plaque
A marker description of the gong
Clearly labelled - Cheonan City
Unlike the
temple gongs which are used regularly and often, the Cheonan gong is a special
gong that I would believe to be used for ceremonial purposes only.
BELOW: The gong and drum at the Magoksa Buddhist Temple
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