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Re: Re: tigers sting
Posted By: mikeoz
Posted Date: Oct 03, 2007 (02:18 AM)
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No I don't think it is modern; and as to who owned it, I can assure you that it was one of the tools of trade of one of the hundreds of thousands of itinerent herbal doctors who plied their trade across China for centuries. It was his rattle to advertise his presence.

The two characters read Xiang Gen. Interestingly, as these were not expensive or 'quality' pieces, the calligraphy for 'xiang' is in fact incorrect. As written (with the bamboo radical at the top) it means box. However, when correctly written with the grass radical at the top it means a medicinal plant used in the treatment of diabetes: celosia argentea, the plumed cockscomb, or Lagos spinach.

The second character - gen - means root, perhaps indicating the part of the plant used in the doctor's treatment. Incidentally, you have them in the correct order, your first picture should be on the right hand side of the rattle, the bottom picture is the view of the left. All you need change is the orientation and you have them perfectly.

You have a charming artifact from the historical practice of Traditional Chinese Medicine - which is still practiced, and is still very effective. I know as I have just finished a three day course of herbs which gets rid of my seasonal hay fever.




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