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A utomata in China -1
Chinese Automata-1 is called “Shinan-sha”. Although it is said that this Shinan-sha was invented in China about 2600 BC, the correct age of the invention may be 100-200 AD.
This Shinan-sha has the gear movement, and a hermit always indicates the south by the sophisticated mechanism.
Legend says that it has been spread in Japan in the age of “Ten-chi-tei”, 665 AD, but we can see today only the words “Shinan-ban” and “Shinan-Jo” as the memorial heritage of it.
The mechanism of the gear movement of Shinan-sha has not been clarified still now, and appropriately, it is the interesting technical subject that is well worth an investigation.
(Ref. “Haguruma-Bunkashi, by Hirosi Uchiyama)
![](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e31ddf_b68c8649f68a4d8abea2bfc65bbca0e5.jpg/v1/fill/w_167,h_279,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/e31ddf_b68c8649f68a4d8abea2bfc65bbca0e5.jpg)
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