A fine Japanese lantern clock ‘kake-dokei’ with engraved panels, circa 1800.

Description

Kake-Dokei

Although the exterior and built are very similar, the Japanese distinguished four different ‘lantern clocks. The ‘Yagura-dokei’ was the clock with a trapezoid wooden stand which hid the weights, while the ‘Dai-dokei’ was placed on an open, often decorated stand. The two other types are hung on the ‘tokobashira’. the central pillar of a traditional Japanese house. There is the ‘Hashira-dokei’ which is put on a wooden bracket. And finally there is the ‘Kake-dokei’, a lantern clock that is hung by means of a hoop and spurs directly on the tokobashira, similar to many European lantern clocks. The adjustment to the Japanese temporal hours is done by means of two foliots, one for the day- and one for the night hours, automatically switching at sunrise and sunset. The visual attraction of the moving foliot is surpassed by the engraved landscapes on the dial and sides. It is not often that one can have a clock and three engravings in one. The perfection for which the Japanese artisans are known is seen in the execution of the movement and beautifully executed case. A true object d’art for the wall.

Calendar

The 7.4-cm applied dial is engraved with the twelve ‘toki’ and ‘half toki’. There are small holes for setting the alarm at the ‘night toki’. The single shaped and pierced hand revolves once per twenty-four hours. The dial is mounted on an brass dial adorned with an engraved landscape. Above the dial are two apertures for the calendar.

Foliots

The brass movement is driven by two weights and has a duration of three days. The movement is regulated by two alternating foliots in combination with two verge crown wheels. Twice a day the clock changes from one foliot to the other and vice versa during the striking. In this way the clock changes from day-hours to night-hours and vice versa. The clock strikes the toki and half toki by means of a countwheel on a bell. The alarm functions with two small auxiliary weights.

Engraved landscapes

The rectangular engraved brass case is surmounted by a bell on a beautifully turned support. The doors are also adorned with beautiful engraved landscapes on the outside. The inside of the doors are adorned with flowers and leaves. The case is suspended on the wall by means of a hoop and spurs.