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Karakuri kinmoukagamikusa was published in 1730, prior to Karakuri-zui (illustrated compilation of mechanism-art). It consisted of three parts,
of which 28 types of karakuri are illustrated with Edo scene in the first,
and the other two diagramed structures of karakuri.
The book was illustrated by Tagaya Kanchusen (an herb doctor lived in Kyoto)
and Toyonobu Kawaeda (a classical Japanese painter), and painting blocks
were made by Heibei Okamura (a wood engraver). |
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| Tagaya was from Owari (area at the centre of the mainland of Japan), and
was very good at algorithm. The main purpose of this publishing was to
find more about the popular "karakuri play". The secret they solved ranged
from magic-like tricks to child's play-like. |
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Classic Series of Edo Science published by Kouwa( See a bigger picture) |
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| Karakuri-zui was written by Hosokawa Hanzo Yorinao, and was published in the Edo period
(1798). This Japan's oldest manuscript of mechanical engineering is consisted
of three volumes, and they were reprinted in Osaka and Kyoto afterwards.
This book details the structure and the making process of clocks and karakuri
mechanical dolls, and it explains not only about the techniques, but also
about the spirit of making these mechanical devices. In those days, the
technique was passed down to apprentices from their masters, and it was
never allowed to go out public. When it was exhibited for the first time,
it influenced the next generation of karakuri masters, and even Hiraga
Gennai was astonished by its mechanism. European was also amazed for Japanese
technology without using steam, and it became known as the best technology
in the world. |
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The original book |
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Edited by: Nangoku Civic INstitute ( See a bigger picture) |
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| Hosokawa Hanzo Yorinao was popularly known as "Karakuri Hanzo". He was
born in the feudal domain of Tosa, and mastered astronomy, Confucianism,
architecture, and aspect divination. His famous inventions are sha-tengi which shows the movement of sphere and koutei-gi (a pedometer). We can say that he was a versatile scientist and a technician who had talents for astronomy, physics, technology, invention, etc. At the age of 50, he was nominated to be a member of the committee which had renewed a calendar for the next year. He is highly regarded for his diligence in making a lot of studies. It is known that he swore that he would never come back to his village until making his reputation in the whole country. In 1798, he passed away after publishing of Karakuri-zui. |
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