Muza-chan's Gate to Japan

Food-serving Karakuri doll

Tue, October 22, 2013, by Muza-chan
One of the most amazing facts about the Japanese mechanical puppets - karakuri ningyo - is that even if they have no moving eyes or mouth, they are still very expressive.

The expressiveness is created with a method specific to Japan, primarily used by the Noh actors: the masks are designed so that several various expressions can be represented, from smiling or laughing to sadness or crying, just by tilting the head in certain angles.

That's also the case for these Karakuri food-serving dolls: after stopping in front of the guest, the doll tilts its head, changing its expression.

Click on photo for higher resolution:
Karakuri doll, Karakuri Museum, Inuyama
EXIF info:

Fuji X100
Lens: Fujinon
Focal Length: 23mm
Aperture: F/2
Shutter Speed: 1/60s
ISO Sensitivity: ISO 1250


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