Exhibition Guide

History Zone

3

Moji-kaki Ningyo (Calligraphy Writing Doll)

Reference: collection of the Kurume City Board of Education
Reference: collection of the Kurume City Board of Education

Moji-kaki Ningyo (Calligraphy writing doll) holds a fude (Japanese writing brush) and writes Chinese characters on paper placed perpendicularly to the doll.

Inside the pedestal, switchable cams are equipped.
Three cams make a set, and there are four full sets.
Using each set of cams, the doll can write one letter.
By changing sets, it can write four different characters; "松 (pine tree)", "竹 (bamboo)", "梅 (Japanese plum tree)", and "寿 (festivity or a letter to express congratulations)".
Those letters aren't written by a single stroke.
The doll makes three-dimensional movements as the brush leaves the paper after each stroke and starts again for the next stroke.
Its power source is a mainspring, and threads connected to the cams transfer power to each part of the doll's body.
Its face is gallant, and it is also a piece of excellent craftsmanship.

#

#