week 8: Parts of mechanical dolls in our life

Hello! In this week I will show you “Parts of mechanical dolls in our life”. Karakuri doll was born 17th century and had grown up. And every time they were with people. How are Karakuri dolls useful in our life?

According to the website of Wikipedia,

“Karakuri ningyō (からくり人形) are mechanized puppets or automata from Japan from the 17th century to 19th century. The word Karakuri means "mechanisms" or "trick". In Japanese ningyō is written as two separate characters, meaning person and shape. It may be translated as puppet, but also by doll or effigy. The dolls' gestures provided a form of entertainment.”

The mechanism of Karakuri doll which moves it is really a machine in itself that it possess principles which effects contemporary mechanical engineering. With the aspect of the machine technology, precision instrument technology which created "the wooden robot" that did not exist in Europe was completed and practicalized in Japan that regarded as be inferior to Western European countries. There seems to be any relevant between the fact that Japan had been influenced by these wooden robot’s culture since early Edo era and the fact that Japan is in the top class of the amount of the total industrial products because there are many car and industrial robot company in now Nagoya region.

“This technological strength that created elaborate mechanical doll with wood in Edo era showed the power when Japan innovated new mechanical technology of Europe which used steel and had big contribution to promotion of industrializing of Japan. It is not hard to image it.” (鈴木礼二「からくり夢工房」２頁)

“This technology which supported Karakuri became tray of new mechanical technic from Europe after the Meiji Restoration(明治維新) when Japan was free from national isolation. And encouraged clock and car industries’ development, so it is said that this is foundation of today’s industry.” (西尾武喜「からくり夢工房」４頁)

 

Dashi Karakuri(山車からくり) of Aichi was born from the encounter of the technology of making doll in Kyoto and public puppet play in Osaka, and the technology of Japanese clock in Nagoya. To make one Dashi Karakuri needs a lot of technologists who has many specialties for example Rev. sewing, engraver, carpenter, cabinetmaker, etc. There were the division of labor which has expanse and the system called “just-in-time delivery system(カンバン方式)” of TOYOTA.

Karakuri is not only the technology of creating something. It gave a lot of audience friendships and enjoyment, and played an important role that attracts people for scientific technology.

Karakuri doll is what is called “the robot of Edo”. The purpose of making Karakuri is not realizing of the moving of human, it prior the audience and those around people. Karakuri doll have had essence that make people happy since it was born. (506 words)