The construction and use of the knobbed gong in Taiwan

This article explores the history, construction, and classification of knobbed gongs in Taiwan. It provides a comparative overview of gong types, highlighting distinctions between Taiwanese, Chinese, and Southeast Asian instruments. Special focus is given to the continued production of knobbed gongs by a small metalworks factory in Yilan, which supplies most of Taiwan’s instruments. The article situates these gongs in the context of local traditions such as Beiguan opera and traces possible historical connections to southern Chinese practices, including Chaozhou gong and drum music.