Gakutensoku
Encyclopedia
Gakutensoku the first robot
to be built in Japan, was created in Osaka
in 1929. The robot was designed and manufactured by biologist Makoto Nishimura (1883-1956, father of actor Ko Nishimura
). Nishimura had served as a professor at Hokkaido Imperial University
, studied Marimo
and was an editorial adviser to the Osaka Mainichi newspaper (now the Mainichi Shimbun
).
in its right hand and a lamp named Reikantō (霊感灯, Japanese for "inspiration light") in its left hand. Perched on top of Gakutensoku was a bird-shaped robot named Kokukyōchō (告暁鳥, Japanese for "bird informing dawn"). When Kokukyōchō cried, Gakutensoku's eyes closed and its expression became pensive. When the lamp shone, Gakutensoku started to write words with the pen.
Gakutensoku was displayed at some expositions in Japan, but was lost while touring Germany in the 1930s.
An asteroid, 9786 Gakutensoku
, was named after the robot.
A modern version of Gakutensoku was produced in 2008 by the Osaka Science Museum
where it is now on display.
Robot
A robot is a mechanical or virtual intelligent agent that can perform tasks automatically or with guidance, typically by remote control. In practice a robot is usually an electro-mechanical machine that is guided by computer and electronic programming. Robots can be autonomous, semi-autonomous or...
to be built in Japan, was created in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
in 1929. The robot was designed and manufactured by biologist Makoto Nishimura (1883-1956, father of actor Ko Nishimura
Kô Nishimura
was a Japanese actor who appeared in supporting roles in such films as Akira Kurosawa's The Bad Sleep Well and Yojimbo, Kihachi Okamoto's Sword of Doom, Yoshitaro Nomura's Zero Focus, and Kon Ichikawa's The Burmese Harp .-Film:* The Burmese Harp *Sun in the Last Days of the Shogunate（1957）*The...
). Nishimura had served as a professor at Hokkaido Imperial University
Hokkaido University
Hokkaido University is one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. It can be seen in the several rankings such as shown below.-General Rankings:...
, studied Marimo
Marimo
, also known as Cladophora ball, Lake ball, or Moss Balls in English, is a species of filamentous green algae found in a number of lakes in the northern hemisphere. A marimo is a rare growth form of the species where the algae grow into large green balls with a velvety appearance...
and was an editorial adviser to the Osaka Mainichi newspaper (now the Mainichi Shimbun
Mainichi Shimbun
The is one of the major newspapers in Japan, published by .-History:The history of the Mainichi Shimbun begins with founding of two papers during the Meiji period. The Tokyo Nichi Nichi Shimbun was founded first, in 1872. The Mainichi claims that it is the oldest existing Japanese daily newspaper...
).
Description
Gakutensoku could change its facial expression and move its head and hands via an air pressure mechanism. It had a pen-shaped Signal arrowSignal arrow
Signal arrows, in Japanese, were arrows which whistled when fired and were used in ritual archery exchanges prior to formal medieval battles. The sound was created by a specially carved or perforated bulb of deer horn or wood attached to the tip...
in its right hand and a lamp named Reikantō (霊感灯, Japanese for "inspiration light") in its left hand. Perched on top of Gakutensoku was a bird-shaped robot named Kokukyōchō (告暁鳥, Japanese for "bird informing dawn"). When Kokukyōchō cried, Gakutensoku's eyes closed and its expression became pensive. When the lamp shone, Gakutensoku started to write words with the pen.
Gakutensoku was displayed at some expositions in Japan, but was lost while touring Germany in the 1930s.
An asteroid, 9786 Gakutensoku
9786 Gakutensoku
9786 Gakutensoku is a main-belt asteroid discovered on January 19, 1995 by T. Kobayashi at Oizumi.- External links :*...
, was named after the robot.
A modern version of Gakutensoku was produced in 2008 by the Osaka Science Museum
Osaka Science Museum
The is a science museum in Naka-no-shima, Kita-ku, Osaka, Japan. The museum is located between the Dōjima River and the Tosabori River, above Osaka's subterranean National Museum of Art. Opened in 1989, the museum was constructed to mark the 100th anniversary of Osaka City. The construction was...
where it is now on display.
Gakutensoku in fiction
- Gakutensoku and its creator, Makoto Nishimura, appear in Hiroshi AramataHiroshi Aramatais a Japanese author, translator, and screenplay writer, as well as a specialist in natural history and cartography.His most popular novel was Teito Monogatari , which has sold over 3.5 million copies in Japan alone. He also wrote Alexander Senki, a novel which eventually evolved into the anime...
's novel "Teito MonogatariTeito Monogatariis a massive Japanese historical fantasy epic written by Hiroshi Aramata.-Overview:The story is a retelling of the history of Edo from an occultist perspective. The premise is based on the idea that the curse of Taira no Masakado greatly influenced the city's history from its inception to the...
" and the subsequent film based on the novel. In the film, Ko Nishimura plays Makoto. - A similar robot named Hisoutensoku is the main feature of the fighting game Touhou Hisoutensoku and was inspired from the Gakutensoku.