The mechanical dolls of the Edo period, called karakuri ningyō, were the starting point of Japan’s love affair with robots. The intricate clockwork motors inside dolls create playful, realistic ...

The word karakuri, which can also mean “subtle trickery,” is derived from the verb karakuru, meaning to “pull, stretch, and move a thread,” and a karakuri automaton is a dual feat of art and ...

We may earn a commission from links on this page. They're actually called "karakuri ningyou" (からくり人形) or, literally, "trick doll." And get ready to be amazed. Ring Psychology: Understanding The 6 ...

Karakuri dolls are ancient little robots from Edo made out of wood and porcelain with no metal screws or anything. Paul Nicholls from Japundit introduces a website that sells the doll. Global Voices ...

The puppeteer’s hands move quickly, deftly pulling ropes tethered to a mechanical karakuri doll used in yama floats in local festivals. The doll, clad in jewel-toned finery reminiscent of that worn by ...

Karakuri dolls are said to be one of the original forms of the modern robot. The history of Karakuri (meaning "mechanism that drives a machine") automatic dolls began in the early Edo period of Japan ...

During Japan’s Edo period, which stretched from the early 17th century to the mid-1800s, wealthy families would buy Karakuri—little self operating dolls or toys that served tea and shot arrows. Here, ...

The Aibo, Asimo, even Gundam—robotics are a national institution of Japan. However, robotics started there far earlier than most folks realize. Karakuri ningyo (roughly “mechanized dolls”) go back to ...

Twice a year, the village of Takayama in the Japanese Alps parades its treasures through town: 23 carved wooden floats covered in gold and lacquer. These ornate yatai date back more than 350 years to ...