Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820
£6,500
Request Information
Follow Us
Late Edo Period 19th Century Japanese Pillar Clock, Shaku-Dokei, C. 1820
ELEGANT JAPANESE PILLAR CLOCK, ‘SHAKU-DOKEI’, c. 1820
The very fine 30-hour, weight-driven movement is constructed between bars and consists of a going train only. It has verge escapement with balance on top of the upper plate. Around the balance is a circular surround with an aperture. A small brass convex disc on the balance acts as a false ‘pendulum’. It is driven by a lead weight which carries the hand. The skeletonised brass front is engraved with a chrysanthemum motif. Top and bottom plates are connected by four turned pillars.
The wooden dial – the pillar – has thirteen movable engraved brass hour chapters, called toki. The Japanese characters on the toki depict the following numbers from top to bottom: 6, 5, 4, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 9, 8, 7, 6. The time is indicated by a pierced brass pointer which slides down the case trunk.
The movement is situated a shitan case, the hood being glazed on all sides so that the movement is entirely visible. To wind the clock, the hood can be removed by unlocking a wooden turnbuckle. The winding key is stored in a small drawer at the bottom of the pillar.
Note
Japanese time measurement is very different from its counterpart in the Western world. Instead of a fixed value for an hour the length of an hour in Japan, called toki is variable depending on the length of the day and night. Day and night are both divided into six toki, which lasts from sunrise to sunset and from sunset to sunrise. In summer the days are longer than the nights and consequently a day toki last longer than a night toki. In winter it is the other way around. This is the reason why Japanese clocks have sliding chapters to adjust the length of a toki. There are also clocks with a fixed chapter ring and a revolving hand. To regulate the lengths of the toki the weights on the foliot can be moved, which makes the clock go faster or slower. The hour numerals run from nine to four, the latter being midday. Japanese clocks indicate how many hours there are to come, whilst European clocks indicate how many hours have past. In Japan the figure 9 was holy. Each toki, twelve in total, also had its own sign of the zodiac, which were sometimes indicated on a ring around the chapter ring.
Condition
Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
Dimensions
Height: 16.54 in. (42 cm)
Width: 2.37 in. (6 cm)
Depth: 2.37 in. (6 cm)
Literature
W. Brandes, Alte Japanische Uhren, München, 1976
N.H.N. Mody, Japanese Clocks, Rutland, 1977
E.L. Edwardes, Dutch Clocks & Their Japanese Connections, Ashbourne, 1996, pp.158 ff.
PREVIOUSLY SOLD
Fine Brass Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield Paris, circa 1700
Fine Brass Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield Paris Sold Follow UsFine Brass Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield Paris A fine brass Anglo-French octagonal pocket sundial with compass by Michael Butterfield, circa...
17th Century William and Mary Eight Day Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, John Martin
17th Century William and Mary Eight Day Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, John Martin Sold Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Eight Day Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, John Martin The attractive burr walnut-veneered oak case is of classic design...
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor SOLD Follow Us18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor From the first quarter of the 18th century - a German brass equinoctial...
Fine George III Eight-Day Striking Mahogany Bracket Clock with Trip Repeat
Fine George III Eight-Day Striking Mahogany Bracket Clock with Trip Repeat SOLD Follow UsFine George III Eight-Day Striking Mahogany Bracket Clock with Trip Repeat A fine George III eight-day striking mahogany bracket clock with trip repeat...
Fine 17th Century Charles II Spring Driven Table Clock by Deodatus Threlkeld
Fine 17th Century Charles II Spring Driven Table Clock by Deodatus Threlkeld SOLD Follow UsFine 17th Century Charles II Spring Driven Table Clock by Deodatus Threlkeld The eminent maker Deodatus Threlkeld (1658-1732) was an apprentice of...
19th Century Gilt-Brass Engraved Striking and Repeating Carriage Clock
19th Century Gilt-Brass Engraved Striking and Repeating Carriage Clock Sold Follow Us19th Century Gilt-Brass Engraved Striking and Repeating Carriage Clock The superb engraved gilt brass gorge case has facetted glass panels to all sides so...
Fine Brass Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield Paris, circa 1700
Fine Brass Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield Paris Sold Follow UsFine Brass Pocket Sundial and Compass by Michael Butterfield Paris A fine brass Anglo-French octagonal pocket sundial with compass by Michael Butterfield, circa...
17th Century William and Mary Eight Day Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, John Martin
17th Century William and Mary Eight Day Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, John Martin Sold Follow Us17th Century William and Mary Eight Day Burr Walnut Longcase Clock, John Martin The attractive burr walnut-veneered oak case is of classic design...
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor
18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor SOLD Follow Us18th Century German Equinoctial Pocket Sundial and Compass by Ludwig Theodor From the first quarter of the 18th century - a German brass equinoctial...
Fine George III Eight-Day Striking Mahogany Bracket Clock with Trip Repeat
Fine George III Eight-Day Striking Mahogany Bracket Clock with Trip Repeat SOLD Follow UsFine George III Eight-Day Striking Mahogany Bracket Clock with Trip Repeat A fine George III eight-day striking mahogany bracket clock with trip repeat...
Fine 17th Century Charles II Spring Driven Table Clock by Deodatus Threlkeld
Fine 17th Century Charles II Spring Driven Table Clock by Deodatus Threlkeld SOLD Follow UsFine 17th Century Charles II Spring Driven Table Clock by Deodatus Threlkeld The eminent maker Deodatus Threlkeld (1658-1732) was an apprentice of...
19th Century Gilt-Brass Engraved Striking and Repeating Carriage Clock
19th Century Gilt-Brass Engraved Striking and Repeating Carriage Clock Sold Follow Us19th Century Gilt-Brass Engraved Striking and Repeating Carriage Clock The superb engraved gilt brass gorge case has facetted glass panels to all sides so...
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England
A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England £14,250[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default"...
17th Century Charles II Month Going 10″ Marquetry Longcase Clock by John Wise
A superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c. 1680-85. Measure: 10" Follow UsA superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c....
William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand
William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand £12,900Follow UsWilliam and...
Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730
Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 £36,000 Follow UsImportant Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 Simply exquisite. Measure: 22" Rare and important all original George II...
A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730
A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730 £28,000Follow UsA...
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England £28,900Follow UsRare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk / Bachelor's...
A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England
A Fine and Rare 17th Century William and Mary Olive Oyster Table, Circa 1680-1700. England £14,250[wpforms_selector form_id="11387" show_title="on" _builder_version="4.23.1" _module_preset="default"...
17th Century Charles II Month Going 10″ Marquetry Longcase Clock by John Wise
A superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c. 1680-85. Measure: 10" Follow UsA superb Charles II month duration floral marquetry longcase clock by the well-known maker John Wise, c....
William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand
William and Mary 17th Century Walnut and Pollard Oak Chest on Stand £12,900Follow UsWilliam and...
Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730
Important Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 £36,000 Follow UsImportant Early George II Burr Walnut Diminutive Bureau / Bachelors C.1730 Simply exquisite. Measure: 22" Rare and important all original George II...
A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730
A Rare 18th Century George II Carved Cut Gesso and Giltwood Mirror, Circa 1730 £28,000Follow UsA...
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England
Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England £28,900Follow UsRare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk, circa 1730-1740. England Rare Burr Walnut George II 18th Century Kneehole Desk / Bachelor's...