Bak (Clappers)
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The Bak clapper is made of six flat wood boards tied together at one end. Since the Unified Silla dynasty (668-935), its clattering sound has marked the start of a ritual or court performance and punctuated the ends of musical sections. The musician playing this time-keeping instrument often serves as the conductor and leader of the ensemble.
Description: six rectangular, red-lacquered slabs of pakdal wood, the slabs free at one end and having two holes in the other through which they are laced together by four strands of rawhide; imitation antique coins laced between each slab, the rawhide braided at ends and terminating in blue tassels.
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