12 abril 2007





1. Writing karakuri:



This doll - very similar to our "



By the years when the great Jaquet-Droz was building his astonishing automata , Japan had developed their own mechanized puppets. These dolls, called Karakuri Ningyo , were built during Edo period (1603 to 1867) and were able to practice all kind of activities: serving tea, shooting or walking down the stairs. Take a look to some of the most interesting examples:This doll - very similar to our " writing automaton " - was built by Tanaka Hisashige in the 19th century and could write a complicated kanji character with an accomplished face expression.

2. Bow-shooting karakuri



This doll pulls an arrow out of the fan beside him, puts it to his bow, aims, and fires at a target. Amazing! (Take a look to the original).





3. Magician karakuri:



You must click to see the trick!





4. Karakuri serving tea:





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