BLOG 16. “Mechanical crab suddenly appeared out of nowhere.”
The
highest rank of courtesan in Kyoto of Edo period was Tayu (or Dayu), and
Yoshino Dayu Tokuko (1606-43) was a renowned beauty, well educated, talented
much sought-after courtesan. Around 1630 she had a unique toy which is the
spring-driven metal mechanical crab carrying a cup atop its back. The crab was
perhaps used an entertainment to bring saké cup to guests for the party.
This
crab exists now and examined in detail. The outer shell of it is not only made
of solid silver and thickly covered with gold leaf but encrusted with peacock
feathers and precious stones. X-ray examination of the interior of the crab revealed
the escapement and the spring installed in the barrel.
The crab is so decorative, gorgeous and the mechanism is the western clockwork. The
maker is unknown and it is also not clear how the crab came to be delivered to
Yoshino Dayu.
The
appearing of this crab is too early to the Japanese karakuri history. I think
the crab could be made in the workshop in the Forbidden Palace, Beijing, China.
In
1802, Kyokutei Bakin (1767-1848), who is a popular novelist, met Yoshino’s
grandson in Kyoto, and examined the crab. He reported with illustrations in some
books. I am attaching the illustrations here (ref: JAK
p.19-20).
