Report1-5

Karakuri Report NO.1-NO.5

KARAKURI REPORT NO.5
January 1st, 2000

The Karakuri Creation Group's schedule of exhibitions has been decided.
The first new product's exhibition of Karakuri Creation Group
at Isetan department store in Shinjuku, Tokyo, March 23rd - 29th, 2000.
The commemoration of the first exhibition of our Karakuri Creation Group! Thanks so much to the craftsmen who have worked hard on their products, and to all the guests who are coming. We're really looking forward to our first exhibition.

WE ARE MAKING NEW KARAKURI.
Well, our Creation Group has acquired basic ideas from our lecture meetings and exhibitions. And as our research continues, our new product's designs are beginning to be manufactured. On October 21st, we learned from a British video on Karakuri(automata), and talked about Mr.Kamei's new idea. On November 16th, Hiroshi Endoh gave us a lecture on mainly the design angles of his own products.

ENGLANDS EXTREMELY HUMOROUS TRICKS.
On October 21st, for the first half of our meeting, we watched a video and learned about England's Karakuri. Actually, this summer "The London Trick Studio Exhibition" was held in Tokyo. It was at this exhibition that we bought the video. This exhibition was from London's "Cabaret Mechanical Theater", and about 30 trick products were on display. With handles that turned round and round, and when you turned them the gear wheels would move the other mechanisms. With shapes in the form of people and animals, they were really interesting movements. We call our products Karakuri, and also call the trick products from England Karakuri. But England's Karakuri are quite similar to "trick dolls" (in Japan). In English, these kinds of tricks are called "automata". In the video, so much automata humor appeared. I was most impressed with the "sheep" trick. That was a trick taken from the point of view of the shephard shearing the sheep, but reversed. The sheep was holding large scissors and tried to cut off the human's head. Chop, chop, chop. The man's head was coming close to the point where his head would be chopped off. After waiting a few more turns, the timing slipped, and suddenly his head was lopped off! This was kind of a sick joke, but very memorable.! Many other products with interesting movements were also shown. And for our group, this video was the start of our discussion on how we can use it as a reference for our own products.

In the second half of the meeting, we gave our opinions on how to develop secret box with the Mr. Akio Kamei's ideas. One of the suggestions was that in order for the device of the secret box to become easier, the movements could be changed to move more freely. In the world of secret boxes, as the first idea was suggested, "we can do even this kind of movement." More and more opinions were given that it created a nice uproar. So, we started enjoying the discussion of how to combine our ideas with the products.

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The poster of the London Trick Studio Exhibition

THE DESIGNS DEVELOP
On November 16th, Mr. Hiroshi Endoh was in charge of speaking. He lectured mainly on the design of his products. While using his original technique with the rope, he is able to develop complex products from easy shapes, even things like red dragon flies or seasonal themes such as snow in his products. He explained clearly to us the development of his products. And he even told us about the point of his ideas, at the time he is developing his designs.

At the end of his speech, Mr. Endoh, said, "I tried to make the karakuri...", and showed us some trial products. Without saying another word, it kind of made me laugh! Unfortunately, we are unable to tell you about those products. Honestly, I thought, "I've even done that before!". I'm sure that not only I was beginning to look forward to the day when his products would be manufactured.

After this lecture, we all gave our opinions about the lectures content and the basic trial products. In addition, on this day, other members brought their trial products, and we thought about how we could make fun and interesting karakuri products.

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products made by Mr. Endoh

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(Iwahara)

KARAKURI REPORT NO.4
October 21st, 1999

This summer, an exhibition "Wakuwaku･Karakuri･Daisyugo(I think it means Agog･Karakuri･All Together)"was held. It was very successful. In this report, I will introduce you to the atmosphere of this exhibition.

MANY KARAKURI PRODUCTS WERE DISPLAYED.
In August from the 13th to the 15th, for three days, the exhibition "Wakuwaku･Karakuri･Daisyugo" was held by the Karakuri Creation Group at "Maronie" in Odawara city. In this exhibition, they showed many Karakuri products that had been made in the Odawara･Hakone area for a long time, and products made by current artisans. This exhibition with only Karakuri products was held for the first time. Some rare products that are difficult to find now were also displayed, and this exhibition became quite a precious event.

THERE WERE NUMEROUS PRODUCTS, ABOUT 400 IN ALL.
Our Group borrowed these Karakuri products from some institutions by special permission. They have been perfectly preserved. The number of the products was about 400. There were many "Himitsu-bako(Secret-Box)" made by Mr. Yoshio Okiyama, a "54 ways Himitsu-bako", small Himitsu-bako that is called "Mame(bean) Himitsu", and many, various Himitsu-bako made with some interesting devices. "Kakugata-Sansyu(I think it means square type, three kinds)" made by Mr. Kenji Suzuki, "Mu-kyu(I think it means dream-ball)" made with a combination of Yosegi(mosaic) techniques and motion of Himitsu-bako. There were also "Karakuri-Dansu(Karakuri-Chest)" and "Ni-Bako(Packing Box)" with many tricks made by Mr. Yoshiyuki Ninomiya. There was a box called Tabako-Box(Cigarette-Box), a box that raises a cigarette called "Huki-age", and a box that a wooden dog comes out of with a cigarette in his mouth. "Kennedy-Tabako-Box", and many others like these. "Tabi-makura(a travel pillow)" that has many functions good for even todays travel. It looks like Karakuri. I heard that it was made in the latter part of Edo era(1603~1867). Various wooden piggy banks. The shapes are houses, buildings, or animals. A box that is called "Ruiji(I think it means similarity"), and has unique motion. Animal Kumiki(interlocking puzzles)series made by Yamanaka Kumiki Works. Trick boxes where the cigarettes disappear, and a joke box that a wooden snake comes out when we open it. In addition to these, there were so many other precious products that I can't introduce all of them here.

THE KARAKURI DOORS AND THE KARAKURI FURNITURE.
At the entrance hall on the first floor of the Maronie, the Karakuri Doors and the Karakuri Furniture made by Mr. Akio Kamei of Karakuri Yasube appeared. Visitors saw them for the first time, and were much pleased with them. From adults to children, visitors tried them one after another, and were in high glee. Other visitors who didn't know about this exhibition and came to the Maronie were also interested in the atmosphere that is different from everyday, and also tried the Doors. A staff of the Group who took charge of the Karakuri Furniture Corner said to me about his pleasant worry. "The Visitors are pleased with The Karakuri Furniture on the first floor, and don't easily go to the next room on the third floor".

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The Karakuri Furniture was shown.

THE CHALLENGE CORNER WAS FLOURISHING AND CROWDED.
In this exhibition, we prepared many Karakuri products made by Mr. Yoshiyuki Ninomiya, Mr. Akio Kamei, Mr. Hiroshi Endo, and Mr. Hideto Sato at the Challenge Corner to be touched and played with especially by visitors. As a result, the Challenge Corner became crowded with visitors all day, more than what the staff had expected. A mother thought "My kids will be glad" and came to the exhibition. But, herself fell into the agog feeling and tried for several hours as if she forgot all about her kids. A visitor near the place said "I came here on the first day. But on the second day, I thought I wanted to come again. At last, I came all three days". There was a visitor who was interested in a product made by Mr. Endo asked one of the staff, "Can you sell this?" Another visitor who likes Karakuri and came from a far place said "I wish you would hold an exhibition in a place closer to me."

THE VOLITION OF CREATION ROSE UP.
The exhibition ended successfully. Through this exhibition, we met many visitors. When we saw many visitors who were really happy to see and play with Karakuri products, we thought "I'm glad of what we prepared for this exhibition." At the same time, we verified that many people are interested in Karakuri, and the volition of creation rose up. we think of this exhibition as a stepping-stone, and are keen on creating new Karakuri products.

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(Iwahara)

KARAKURI REPORT NO.3
October 21st, 1999

THE THIRD LECTURE
VARIOUS SCIENTIFIC TOYS(JULY 13TH).
Lecturer was Mr. Naoaki Takashima who is a collector of scientific toys.

At first, Mr. Takashima introduced us to many various scientific toys. A famous bird toy which drinks water. "Taketonbo" that is made of bamboo and set with lead. It is said that it flies several tens of meters. "Fuchinshi" that moves up or down depending on the direction we push the bottle. A Martian toy that is made of plastic, is small, and walks. "Rattle Back" that changes the spinning direction to the fixed direction as we spin it. A top set with a magnet that spins pleasantly around metal plates of human shapes and snake shapes. They were all strange.
Out of all of them, my favorite one was the Martian toy. The Martian toy has a long string, and there is a weight at the end of the string. As we hung the weight from the edge of a desk, he begins to walk with a lovely shake. The figure is too sweet for words! Moreover, I don't know the reason that he is a Martian! (I wish someone would tell me the reason.) In addition to that, he stops by himself, just before the edge of the desk! When I thought "It's just about to fall!" and I reached out my hand, I saw that he was able to stop by himself. I was embarrassed in the presence of everyone. I felt as if the Martian ridiculed me by saying, "I don't need your help".
Now, Mr. Takashima's talk was about "six barriers that prevent nice ideas". In this lecture, Japanese traditional toys also appeared. They were also precious, because they were the first experiences for young artisans. Through this lecture, we could learn about surprising and strange toys. Our group reaped many benefits from this.

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A bird toy that drinks water.
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A Martian (?) toy that has a funny walk.

THE FOURTH LECTURE
VARIOUS GEOMETRIC TOYS(SEPTEMBER 16TH).
The lecturer was Mr. Akira Nishihara. He is a mathematical teacher and a creator of geometric toys that change their shapes.

At first, the lecturer Mr.Nishihara introduced us to his original products. "Delta Star" that changes the shape from a polyhedron to a plane or a line momentary. "Torus Magic" that changes the shape from a doughnut to a sphere smoothly. "Tile Magic's" total design changes to another design, and others like this were shown.
When I see strange things like them, I think, "Why does it change so?" in spite of myself. But this time, I could easily enjoy them because the products of Mr. Nishihara change very beautifully.
Now, Mr. Nishihara introduced us to products of other creators, such as "Juno's Spinner", which are designed and created by Mr. Jyunichi Yananose. They transform from a polyhedron to another one, just with a simple touch. "Two-Circle-Roller's" (Oroide) shape is like two connected disks and somewhat strange, but it keeps on rolling smoothly. "Hoverman Sphear" expands and contracts. I heard that President Clinton has also played with it. They were all interesting. Then we tried to make "Delta Star", a product of Mr. Nishihara with thin bamboo sticks and silicon tubes. In this lecture, I think that they also got big hints for creating new products.
Mr. Nishihara also created many products that are just like developed ones of other creator's. After he introduced them to a product of a creator, he said, "In fact, I thought this product was interesting so I made this", and he showed them a surprising product. And then, after an introduction of the next creator's product, he said again, "In fact, I thought this was also interesting･･･". They were surprised "There's more!" After the next introduction, he said again, "In fact,･･･" He repeatedly showed them many great products. I thought that he too was a surprising person.

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Delta Star(regular tetrahedron)
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Torus Magic

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(Iwahara)

KARAKURI REPORT NO.2
October 21st, 1999

THE STUDY CONTINUES.
We began our study by having lectures as our first activity. We had a lecture each month, and we invited specialists in various fields that are related to creating karakuri products. Until now, we have had just four lectures,but the lectures were all wonderful. I will give you an overview of our insightful atmosphere.

THE FIRST LECTURE
MR. NOB INTRODUCED US TO PUZZLES AROUND THE WORLD(JUNE 1ST).
The lecturer was Mr. Nobuyuki Yoshigahara who is a worldwide puzzle collector and a designer.

There are similarities between the puzzle world and the karakuri world. We thought that we must study more about this, and invited Mr. Nobuyuki Yoshigahara, also known as, Mr. Nob. He is a worldwide puzzle collector and designer. Now, the members of the group were a little tense, because it was the first lecture. But, only Mr. Nob was indeed different from them. To their surprise, his first phrase in this lecture was "I'm enjoying my puzzle life!" I had never heard this self-introduction before. And Mr. Nob took out strange puzzles from his full bag and showed them the puzzles one after the other. He soon took the group to the puzzle world.
A pot which has no mouth. A round box that has an unnoticeable drawer. A jug we can't drink out of without spilling it when we leave it alone. A wood puzzle that comes apart when we roll it. A puzzle that we can solve only with the use of centrifugal force. A black tea box we can hide bills in, etc. They were very varied. Mr. Nob also showed us a puzzle slide that was edited by Mr. Jerry Slocum who is also a worldwide puzzle collector. This was an interlocking puzzle of a five storied pagoda that was designed by Mr. Yoshiyuki Ninomiya, who is also a member of the group. Anyway this lecture ended too quickly. We were still enjoying the puzzles. I felt that the members were greatly excited. I was surprised by this lecture, but I was more surprised to see Mr. Nob so crazy about puzzles. He was a really surprising person. The first lecture was very good.

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A black tea box we can hide bills in
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This puzzle comes apart when we roll it.

THE SECOND LECTURE
THE POLYHEDRONS WORLD MADE OF FOLDING PAPERS(JUNE 24TH).
The lecturer was Ms. Miyuki Kawamura who is a creator of folding paper, or also known as origami. She wrote a book "Folding Papers of Polyhedrons".

In this second lecture, they changed the point of view and learned about polyhedrons. I heard that the lecturer Ms. Kawamura began folding paper when she was two years old. "Folding Papers of Polyhedrons" is a book that was written about the way to make various polyhedrons with folding papers. Incidentally, the publishing firm of the book is "Nihon-hyoronsya", and the price is 2,900 yen(without tax).
Now, in the first half of the lecture, Ms. Kawamura introduced us to many kinds of polyhedrons. And she explained to us the relationships among polyhedrons and their compositions. In the later half, we tried to make five basic polyhedrons with actual folding papers. Everyone was surprised "We can make these shapes only with folding papers!" We learned that there are many beautiful polyhedrons. When I saw a regular octahedron, I remembered " 'Levitation Crystal' that appeared in a movie 'LAPUTA: Castle in the Sky(the director is Mr. Hayao Miyazaki)' it was maybe this shape. Anyway, I was happy only to find that there are many pretty shapes, for example, round "dual polyhedron" and sharp "stellated polyhedron".
In addition to this, I thought she was also a surprising person. In this lecture, there was one moment she was pleased with herself. At that time, her eyes were brighten like a character's in comic for girls. Anyhow, this second lecture was also very wonderful. I look forward to applications to karakuri productions. Here, complex techniques are needed to make various shapes in wood. But contrary, it's also a chance to show techniques of artisans.

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Regular icosahedron
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Seventh stellation of the icosidodecahedron

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(Iwahara)

KARAKURI REPORT NO.1
October 21st, 1999

A GROUP WHICH CREATES KARAKURI HAS RECENTLY BEEN STARTED.
On May 28th of this year, the Karakuri Creation Group (I will call it "the group") met together to begin creating new karakuri products. The president of the souvenir organization in this area, along with Akio Kamei et cetera, suggested forming the group. Mainly 10 and several craftsmen from around Odawara form the group. In the Odawara and Hakone area, the woodcraft industry has been flourishing for a long time, and many complex techniques are used to make Himitsubako(secret box) and Kumiki(interlocking puzzle). In this industry, products that give people a lot of enjoyment or display a lot of karakuri heart have continually been created for a long time. In fact, throughout the whole world, only this area in Japan has these two features. We can say that this is the optimal condition for making karakuri products. The members of the group are keen on creating new karakuri products.

THE OBJECTIVES OF DEVELOPMENT IN THE REGIONAL INDUSTRY
Now, we are thinking about the new products we will create, that will also benefit the industrial growth of the Odawara, Hakone area. At the present time there are many woodcraft products being produced in this area. So, in this industry, it's said, "Products for enjoyment are made." This is a special feature that is unique in this area. So by taking this special feature and stretching it a bit, we will create new Karakuri products. We plan to create new Karakuri products that reflect this regional industry's view of enjoyment.

FROM THE STUDY GROUPS EXHIBITION TO CREATIONS
Since we started, we have successfully completed many goals in the creation of new Karakuri products. Our plan is to study first, and then begin creating. Specialists from various fields related to Karakuri creations were invited to give a lecture to our group. So far we've had 4 such lectures. This summer we were able to meet together and hold an exhibition about Karakuri products that are made in the Odawara and Hakone areas. It was entitled, "Exciting Karakuri" The exhibition was a success. And as for our group, we found many useful tips for making our products. This fall, we are certainly going to challenge ourselves to create new trick products.

NEW PRODUCTS EXHIBITIONS HELD IN VARIOUS PLACES IN JAPAN
We are already planning to hold our new products exhibitions beginning next spring, at various department stores and shops all over Japan. As for the future, we are thinking of touring our products exhibitions overseas, and establish places throughout the world for information about Odawara and Hakone areas.

FINAL WORDS
This is the end of the first Karakuri report. In the next report we will be introducing the situations of our guest lectures and the lecture meeting.

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the exhibition(in preparation)

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(Iwahara)