Lot 148

Anonymous

Shaku-Dokei

A collection of 3 Japanese pillar clocks

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No. 1: A rare Japanese wooden pillar wall clock ("Shaku Dokei") with coordinates dial ("Nami-Ita") for perpetual calendar; height 290 mm.
No. 2: A rare Japanese wooden pillar wall clock ("Shaku-Dokei") with interchangeable dial. The dial has a division of 24 hours, which are subdivided into 5 small parts. Adjustable toki marks in the centre slot; height 520 mm.
No. 3: A rare Japanese wooden pillar wall clock ("Shaku-Dokei") with striking mechanism and adjustable toki marks. Openwork frets to the sides. The weight inside carries the pointer and contains the striking work; height 620 mm.

The "Shaku Dokei" is a Japanese column or long case clock with verge escapement. These clocks show the time according to the descending weight. They are used to set variable hours and seasons. The time is displayed in the centre. Hence long days and short nights or vice versa can be shown according to the season (summer and winter). Thie dials can be adjusted or exchanged. The clock must be wound every day.
"Shaku Dokei" clocks are owned by various museums such as The Seiko Institute of Horology, Daimyo Tokei Hakubutsukan, the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo, The British Museum and until 2016 im Wuppertaler Uhrenmuseum (clock museum in Wuppertal, Germany).