Karakuri ningyo

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A Karakuri automata, circa 1800. British Museum.

Tea-serving karakuri, with mechanism, 19th century. Tokyo National Science Museum.

"Karakuri-Zui" ("Illustrated Compendium of Mechanical Devices"), by Hosokawa Hanzō, 1796. British Museum.

Karakuri ningyo are mechanized puppets or automata from Japan from the 18th century to 19th century. The word 'Karakuri' means a "mechanical device to tease, trick, or take a person by surprise". It implies hidden magic, or an element of mystery. 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. ^[1] The dolls' gestures provided a form of entertainment.

Three main types of Karakuri exist: Butai Karakuri were used in theatre. Zashiki Karakuri were small and were played with in rooms. Dashi Karakuri were used in religious festivals, where the puppets were used to perform reenactments of traditional myths and legends.

They influenced the Noh, Kabuki and Bunraku theatre.

1 Zashiki Karakuri
2 Trivia
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Zashiki Karakuri

The most common example today of a Zashiki Karakuri mechanism shown at the right. It is a tea-serving robot, which start moving forward when a cup of tea is placed on the plate in its hands. It was used in a situation when a host treat a tea to a gest in a tea ceremony.It moves in a straight line for a set distance with moving their feet as if they are walking, and then it bowes its head. This signals that the tea is for drinking, and the doll stops when the cup is removed. When it is replaced, the robot rises its head, turns around and returns to where it came from. It is typically powered by a wound spring made of whalebone, and the actions are controlled by a set of cams and levers.

[edit] Trivia

In 2002, Mazda Motor Corporation was the first motor manufacturer to use the Karakuri concept for the folding rear seat mechanism on the Mazda6 H/B and Estate. The operation of a single lever causes the seat backrest to fold down, with a simultaneous lowering of the seat cushion. This results in the rear passenger compartment of the vehicle being transformed to a completely flat load space within the space of a few seconds - in other marques this operation can be considerably more complex and takes much more time and effort. Mazda has continued to develop the Karakuri concept in their vehicle range as new models are introduced.