Although the term “Wadokei” is normally associated with mechanical indigenous Japanese clocks of the Edo Period, there were other devices used to tell time priot to and throughout the Period.  These can be categorised for the convenience of this website as follows:

Category 1 – Incense Wadokei

This first category are wadokei based on the burning of trails of incense. Incense burning in Japan his a subject of great breadth and depth. It is worthy of website in itself. However, Incense Wadokei are mainly in two forms = both originating in ancient China.

• Koban-dokei – Indicating time by the burning of incense over a large square tray of ash.
• ???-dokei – Indicating time by burning a straight line of incense where hours are indicated by falling weights landing on a ringing bowl.

Category 2 – Sundials

The second category include a range of traditional sundials. These were the timepieces of the common worker.

• Zasshu-dokei – Portable pocket or inro Sundials.