Here is an article on the blog Pink Tentacle which features Japanese bunraku puppets which were originally built for the 1970 World Expo in Osaka Japan, and recently restored:

http://www.pinktentacle.com/2009/01/bunraku-puppet-robots-resurrected-picsvideo/


There is also a tradition of older Japanese automata (mechanized puppets) which are somewhat similar. Automata (automatons), made in both Europe and Japan, were the historic predecessors of today's animatronic figures:

http://scalemodel.net/Gallery/BowShootingBoy.aspx

http://dugnorth.com/blog/2006/06/karakuri-japanese-automata.html

http://www.karakuri.info/

http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/04/30/vintage-japanese-aut.html

http://robot.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/news/2008/04/25/1023.html

(English translation of above link via Google Translation)


Google Video search for Japanese automata - most hits are on topic:

http://video.google.com/videosearch?hl=en&q=japanese+automaton#


There is a cool movement in Britain currently, designing and building contemporary "art" automata, as well as similar interest and activity in the US and other countries.

Fun stuff!

 

Ron G.

Man when your wife keeps you locked in the basement you come out fighting. Amazing stuff  now back in that basement before she finds that you are out and at the computer.

Billy D.