Native Name | Horagai |
Object Number | A726 |
Current Location | Collections Storage |
Culture | Japanese |
Provenience | Japan |
Period | Edo Period | 19th Century |
Date Made | 19th Century |
Section | Asian |
Materials | Conch Shell | Copper Alloy |
Description | Hora shell trumpet. Trumpets like these are made from a sea snail shell (Charonia tritonis) called horagai (法螺貝) in Japanese. The conch shell trumpet is blown by an official in special ceremonies such as a royal cremation. It is also used by temple priests. A trumpet blast warned samurai armies to prepare for battle. Specially trained men called kai yaku sounded the trumpets in the field or blew them with drums to keep a steady pace while marching. |
Height | 14 cm |
Length | 40 cm |
Credit Line | Gift of Mrs. Sarah (William D.) Frishmuth, 1900 |
Other Number | A-198 - Seder Number |
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