small gong (used in gagaku)
A small, high-pitched gong struck with a mallet, used in gagaku (Japanese court music). The reading しょうご is also attested.
See also: 雅楽
In a gagaku performance, the shōko marks the rhythm.
Standard kanji spelling for the gagaku small gong.
The word is of Chinese origin, referring to a small gong. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.