The Internet Generation Rediscovers the Charm of Mechanical Clocks at Warabekan: “The World of Mechanical Clocks – Comprehensive Art that Colors Time, Supervised by the Hamanasu Group” by
Tottori Children’s Song and Toy Museum, Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Press Release: October 17, 2025 The internet generation rediscovers the charm of mechanical clocks. Warabekan Museum celebrates its 30th anniversary with the exhibition “The World of Mechanical Clocks – Comprehensive Art Supervised by the Hamanasu-dan Group” * “Hamanasu-dan”: A unit in their 20s who are obsessed with mechanical clocks. They continue to research and study mechanical clocks across the country. To commemorate its 30th anniversary, Warabekan (Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture), a museum themed around children’s songs, folk songs, and toys, is holding a special exhibition titled “The World of Karakuri Clocks, Supervised by the Hamanasu Group.” -A Comprehensive Art that Colors Time-” The aim of the exhibition is to reaffirm the Japanese craftsmanship and cultural value of Karakuri clocks. Admission is free, and the exhibition will run for approximately one month from Sunday, November 2, 2025. Gallery talks and a mini symposium will be held during the exhibition.
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URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-631b0c3f498132f395ef27a0df70026c-231×174.jpg Warabekan (Nishimachi, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture) Major Exhibits ◆Warabekan Karakuri Clock Warabekan, Tottori City, Tottori Prefecture, 1995 Dial diameter: approximately 2.5 meters, weight: approximately 1.5 tons
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-2c2228f65a257c876f7ded2f76452fbc-3900×3682.jpg Warabekan Karakuri Clock It began operating as a symbol of Warabekan when the museum opened in July 1995. The dolls move along with music nine times a day, on the hour, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. “Kintaro,” “Hanasaki Jijii,” and “Issun-boshi” were composed by Tamura Torazō, a musician from Iwami Town, Tottori Prefecture. Dolls of characters from fairy tales that appear in “Okokusama” welcome visitors as a welcome band. Warabekan Karakuri Clock Video Doll maker Tatsuro Omori is the father of Hajime Omori, a member of Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. When the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra held a live concert in Tottori City in October 2024, many fans visited Warabekan to see the Karakuri Clock. ◆Trick Box ~From Okyodayu~ Yuriko Yumedo, produced by Yumedo Art Collection: 1999 Width: 60 cm, height: 90-140 cm (when displayed), depth: 55 cm
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-12c3cae1f1e7dbc063ac257d3bb965af-1086×1086.jpg Okyodayu *Only the mechanical clock part is on display this time.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-35e2046182b1131d87014b5d3d3ac465-1344×1792.jpg A doll emerging from a trick box At the time of its creation, it was exhibited for regional PR purposes, events such as the Aichi Expo, and art exhibitions. It was created with the intention of having “Kugutsushi Okyodayu” manipulate the “Karakuri Box” and perform a Karakuri puppet show. “Kugutsushi Okyodayu” was later used in another work, so this time only the remaining mechanical clock part will be exhibited. Yuriko Mudo (1944-2015) Artist, Art Producer He has installed monumental Karakuri dolls around the country, based on the theme of Japanese-Western coexistence. For the 2005 World Expo, Aichi, Japan, he created the Karakuri Monument “Tower of Japan: Moon,” intended for permanent preservation. It can still be seen on site today. He has a deep knowledge of Japanese history, particularly the Owari Domain. He led a citizens’ movement to restore the Honmaru Palace of Nagoya Castle. His dolls are characterized by the beauty of his puppets, backed by his knowledge, such as the use of Nishijin textiles, and by their astonishing mechanisms. ◆Mechanical 7-segment watch Karakuristo Produced and owned in 2024 Width: 20.8 cm, height: 10.3 cm, depth: 9.5 cm
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-4c08726571b3047c8e1f509e202e1409-1631×1223.jpg Mechanical 7-segment watch A watch that displays numbers
electronically using a mechanism. It features six “7-segment displays” that display numbers by mechanically controlling seven plates (segments) using gears and cams. Despite its structure with many moving parts, it operates quietly and smoothly changes numbers. Approximately 500 parts were used. Karakurist Born in Katta District, Miyagi Prefecture. Majored in product design at Tohoku University of Art and Design. For his graduation project at the university, he created a mechanical clock that writes the time, known as the “Writing Clock.” The video he posted on social media caused a huge stir. Since then, he has been creating “karakuri” structures that are made up solely of mechanical power transmission, based on the concept of “structural visualization.” ◆Enma the Great Karakuri Doll Produced and owned by Shiraishi Ren (Hamanasu-dan), 2024 Width: 1.5 meters, height: 3 meters, depth: 1.5 meters
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-ae3a05df37b4776980ce8dfa0acd7ea7-1800×2700.jpg King Enma Karakuri Doll This is a 1/2 scale reproduction of the Karakuri doll on the King Enma Karakuri float in Noboribetsu Onsen, Hokkaido. When the time for Hell’s judgment arrives, King Enma’s expression changes to one of anger.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Kxd82fTjQU Shiraishi Ren A member of the Hamanasu-dan group. A second-year graduate student at Kyoto University of the Arts. Majoring in sculpture and three-dimensional modeling. At the age of five, while on a family trip to Noboribetsu Onsen to attend the Noboribetsu Hell Festival, he was fascinated by the scene where King Enma’s expression transformed into rage. Since then, he has continued to create King Enma using various materials such as cardboard and clay. X Account @ToKi2020kobo E-mail
dora9kuma5js@docomo.ne.jp ◆Takenouchi Kindergarten Mechanical Clock Doll Owned by Takenouchi Kindergarten, a certified childcare facility operated by the Koiso Gakuen Educational Corporation Dwarf: 43cm high, 20cm wide Ladybug: 15cm high, 15cm wide
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-d952245b353707b137b9239b061beeb7-1636×2700.png Takenouchi Kindergarten – Mechanical Clock Doll (Kobito)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-b7cc14a69ef8fa2cb9b9501af18bfa58-2244×2619.png Takenouchi Kindergarten: Mechanical Clock Doll (Ladybug) A mechanical clock doll was installed at Takenouchi Kindergarten in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, about 30 years ago. It has been beloved for many years, but due to aging, the mechanism no longer works. Alumni, parents, and other volunteers are raising funds to revive the clock, and a revival project is underway to get it working again. ◆Organum Temporis Created and owned by Itagaki Tomoya, 2025 Width: 45 cm, height: 90 cm, depth: 45 cm
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGzl7zgWTqQ Every hour on the hour, a live performance is played on a small pipe organ called a “barrel organ” built into the clock. A warm acoustic sound that cannot be produced by electronic sounds resonates. Yuya Itagaki After studying flute at a music college, he studied watch repair techniques at Hiko Mizuno Jewelry College. After graduating, he worked as a repairman at a Swiss watch manufacturer while continuing to make watches on his own. ◆Mineral Sound M606 Rhythm Co., Ltd., Private Collection, 1998 Diameter: 80 cm
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-4be63734df68e2da23a34e69b67cc400-1136×996.png Mineral Sound M606 At the appointed time, 14 bells made by the German company Hermle are played to the accompaniment of a recorded performance by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. ◆Kirakuri Clock “Children’s Band” Dolls SEIKO Osamu Nakai Corporation Collection: 1989 Child with Cymbals: Width 20cm, Height 22cm Child with Violin: Width 23cm, Height 27cm Trumpet child: Width 14cm, Height 32cm Drum child: Width 24cm, Height 27cm
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-b4adf91ab8c187c89234a2356af58645-564×314.png Mechanical Clock “Children’s Band” Doll This mechanical clock doll was installed at Nakai Osamu’s main store, a watch shop located in the arcade in front of JR Tottori Station, from 1989 to 2019. The clock was commissioned to Seiko in 1989 to coincide with the 8989 Tottori World Toy Expo, and was made for 15 million yen. It was beloved by local residents, but was removed in March 2019 as part of store renovations. Currently, only the doll is displayed inside the store as an object. ◆Misonodori Shopping District Karakuri Doll Shiranami Five Men Doll Old Clothes Owned by the Misono-dori Shopping District Promotion Association, 2002
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-d9d0412111a2db2b3328381b1f7d357d-1158×882.jpg Karakuri doll Shiranami five men doll old costume The original costumes worn by the puppets in the “Shiranami Gonin Otoko” mechanical clock, located in the Misono-dori shopping arcade in Naka Ward, Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture. Five times a day, the “Shiranami Gonin Otoko” mechanical clock features puppets emerging from a 12-meter-tall tower, recreating the Inasegawa Assembly scene from the kabuki play “Aotosho Hana Kosaiga (Shiranami Gonin Otoko).” This exhibition will display the costumes worn by the puppets prior to the clock’s 2022 renewal.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-316790ff9681ff30dc2f4282fd221c8b-2052×2700.jpg The “Shiranami Gonin Otoko” mechanical clock in Misono-dori Shopping Street (after renovation). During the renovation, the Hamanasu Group introduced the owner to a specialist and also assisted with the repair work. ◆Yumex Mechanical Clock Doll Private collection Width 79 cm Height 63.5 cm
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-158eb5cd3b35ed96c2f13874ac583ce2-1477×1108.png Yumex Mechanical Clock Doll This mechanical clock doll was installed at the front entrance of the Yumex commercial building in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, until February
2023.不気味そうでありながらどこか惹きつけられる愛くるしさを併せ持つ、不思議な魅力がある。 ◆全国の大型からくり時計を映像で紹介 ・北海道札幌市 白い恋人パーク からくり時計塔 ・北海道登別市 登別温泉「閻魔大王からくり山車」 ・北海道登別市
登別第一滝本館「大金棒」※現在は公開を終了している ・岩手県花巻市 なはんプラザ「銀河ポッポ」 ・栃木県日光市鬼怒川温泉 東武ワールドスクウェア ・埼玉県川口市 ららテラス川口 ・岐阜県大垣市 弘光舎 ・愛知県名古屋市 名古屋港水族館「浦島太郎伝説」 ・奈良県大和高田市 大和高田さざんかホール ・島根県松江テルサ「タイムマシーンコンサート」 ・島根県浜田市浜田駅前「どんちっち神楽時計」 ・愛媛県松山市道後温泉「坊っちゃんカラクリ時計」 ・福岡県飯塚市 飯塚本町商店街「長崎街道飯塚宿 からくり時計」 ・宮崎県宮崎市 宮崎ブーゲンビリア空港「夢かぐら」 他 監修者紹介 はまなす団
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-954a21bd7217e655738d3268902e2bcd-1181×1181.jpg Kimura 元耀(もとあき)（27） 担当＝調査、交渉、執筆、書籍販売 青森県出身、富山県在住
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-898527ba0be3358eb6766133815c6405-1181×1181.jpg 竹田 翔悟（24）会社員 担当＝修繕、調査、広報 愛媛県出身、岐阜県在住
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-6278f9df7dec35e4461cf409670ebfd1-1181×1181.jpg 白石 廉（24）大学院生 担当＝調査、書籍デザイン、修繕、制作 北海道出身、京都府在住
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-6bd69fd63d1e0b74598135abbe9d34e2-595×593.jpg 社長（ペンネーム・20代）担当＝調査 本展監修の「はまなす団」は、全国でからくり時計の調査・研究を続ける任意団体です。
2018年に結成。出身は北海道、青森、愛媛と様々で、現在の居住地も京都や岐阜、富山など様々です。子どもの頃に出会ったからくり時計の不思議さと可愛らしさに惹かれ、インターネットを通じて活動を続けており、最近では、好きが昂じて修理まで依頼されるほどです。 Xアカウント @motionclocks E-mail dora9kuma5js@docomo.ne.jp 主な活動内容は次の4つです。 ・全国のからくり時計の調査と紹介、ポータルサイトの運営 ・SNSを中心とした最新情報・魅力の発信 ・からくり時計の修理・保全のサポート ・記録撮影・映像アーカイブの制作
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-f269e6b4b374b378855e0dfb8cb0291d-1913×2700.jpg 書籍『設備からくり時計100選』（2023年はまなす団発行）
TBS『マツコの知らない世界』やNHKのニュース・ラジオ番組にも出演し、からくり時計の魅力を熱く語る個性も注目されています。 2025年9月～10月は、長野県安曇野市にある「エルサあづみ野」から依頼を受け、からくり時計の出張修理を行いました。 開催イベント 名称 はまなす団監修 からくり時計の世界 -時を彩る総合芸術- 会期 2025年11月2日（日）～2025年12月5日（金） 準備期間 2025年10月28日（火）10時～2025年11月1日（土）17時 はまなす団メンバーがからくり閻魔大王組み立てや展示準備を行います。 ※取材対応が可能です 開館時間 9:00～17:00 休館日 11月19日（水） 会場 わらべ館 エントランスホール（〒680-0022 鳥取県鳥取市西町3丁目202） 料金 無料 記念イベント 名称 はまなす団によるギャラリートーク
展示作品の見どころを監修者が自ら解説します。 日時 11月2日（日）10:30～12:00 会場 1階 エントランスホール 定員 40名（要申込） 参加料 無料 解説 はまなす団 からくり時計 miniシンポジウム
中国地方のからくり時計を紹介する他、からくり時計の未来について語ります。 日時 11月2日（日）13:00～14:30 会場 わらべ館 いべんとほーる 定員 60名（要申込） 参加料 わらべ館入館料（大人500円／高校生以下無料） パネリスト はまなす団 Image
URL: https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/171558/1/171558-1-11168178536ebe648269149eb8a43b99-3900×2600.jpg はまなす団メンバー 担当よりごあいさつ
「バブル期から親しまれ、消滅の危機に瀕するからくり時計が、令和の今、注目を集めています。わらべ館の「顔」であるからくり時計を見たいと全国から旅行・観光目的でわらべ館を訪れる若者がコロナ後にじわりと増えています。からくり時計がこれほど10代、20代の若者に愛されるとは思わず、驚き、力をもらえました。 本展では、日本人の技術力の高さとアーティストの芸術性を知っていただきたいです。この大変な時代に、からくり時計がもたらす豊かな時間を届けたいと思っております。 」 わらべ館 イベント係 高橋智美
わらべ館のからくり時計の制作者や、はまなす団について調査、取材を行い、童謡・唱歌研究情報誌に執筆。からくり時計の魅力をひろく伝えるため奔走している。 〈高橋の執筆記事〉 ◆からくり時計の制作者をたずねて （公益財団法人鳥取童謡・おもちゃ館発行
童謡・唱歌研究情報誌『音夢』第17号掲載、2023年） ◆和洋の文化を体現するからくり時計 時代のうねりに抗し、魅力発信するネット世代 （公益財団法人鳥取童謡・おもちゃ館発行 童謡・唱歌研究情報誌『音夢』第19号掲載、2025年）
■ お問い合わせ先 わらべ館（公益財団法人鳥取童謡・おもちゃ館 代表 酒嶋優） 担当 イベント係 高橋 智美 〒680-0022 鳥取県鳥取市西町3丁目202 TEL 0857-22-7070 E-mail warabekan@warabe.or.jp 公式サイト：わらべ館 https://warabe.or.jp
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