Karakuri means in Japanese mechanical dolls. A tradition of hundreds of years, which arises from the patient hands of the master Tamaya Shobe, who need nothing more than a string to function. An artistic legacy that prevails unchanged, there are already nine generations of the same family in the trade. An art that had its beginnings in the seventeenth century and which still remains very much alive in Japanese society.
The karakuri arises in what context in which Japanese culture? It was an art exclusively for emperors and nobility?
Tamaya Shobe: It started in 1600 AC, with the puppets walking automatically. Began, in the traditional Japanese theater and later for entertainment. The dolls with more complex mechanisms were much more expensive and therefore only accessible to the emperors, the nobility or wealthy merchants who had much chance of having a "robot" in their home and as entertainment in the tea rooms. For the public in general were more basic dolls, made with wires for festivals in which they were put on the floats.
The mechanisms appear since the beginning?
TS: There were simple mechanisms that have evolved and acquired a more complex as we see in the archer (pictured).
Being a craftsman of the ninth generation of the same family, do you still manages disciples to continue this tradition?
TS: I have two to three disciples to practice this tradition that does not belong to the family. Then there's three more in the family, cousins and nephews. It doesn't have to be necessarily a family member. What is important is the artisan who is more competent to carry on this art. If the son or nephew does not meet the appropriate capabilities to create a karakuri, then the tradition is passed to the more able pupil in the art.
There is still much demand for these mechanical dolls in Japan today?
TS: Yes, there are people who buy it. There are cheaper versions of these dolls to the general public.
Do you accept special orders?
TS: Sometimes I make simple puppets to meet the demands of the people.
On average how many dolls do the master per year?
TS: The tea doll (pictured) I do three units per year. The archer takes a year to be mounted. All work is done by hand and have to take into account the humidity of the air because of the wood. There is a perfect time to draw up the dolls.
So what is the most propitious time of year to make these karakuri?
TS: The month of June when there is greater humidity content in Japan.
What is the ideal wood?
TS: The karakuri use seven different types of wood. If we used the ideal material and have the ideal climate, mechanical dolls can last about 200 years.
On average how much the doll tea?
TS: 15, 000 euros.
The archer?
TS: It is approximately 100 000 euros.
The master has his works in museums?
TS: Right now I have pieces in an exhibition at the National Gallery in London. It was a special request, because the organization was amaze by the technique that is used to make these dolls and so they wanted to show it and I sent one work.
Of all the dolls you've done, have you any favorite?
TS: What do I like best is the archer. This is what amuses me more to do.
