Japanese Automata ‘YUMIHIKI-DOJI’

The ‘Yumihiki-Doji’ (a boy bending a bow) created by Hisashige Tanaka is a masterpiece of automata from the Edo Era. It was devised with his original technology, in which Japanese culture is reflected by reference to clock technologies. Simple mechanical elements are organically combined to achieve the mechanism, offering the smooth action of shooting an arrow and humanlike expression. The automaton shows the high level of Japanese mechanical technology in the later phase of the Edo Era, and the artisan skills and the spirit thereof is the foundation of the modernization of Japan. The automaton certified as heritage is the one preserved in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture, the birthplace of Hisashige.