Appearance:      Lantern clock on four legged stand.  Originally with covered hood – however most hoods are missing.

Period:                 Early and Middle, although produced through to the late period.

Escapement:     Single and double foliot, however some very late examples had balance springs.

Power Source:   Lead weight

Construction:    Lantern clocks generally had square or rectangular pillars.  Early clocks were wholly of iron.  Middle period examples had brass side plates and some components.  Later examples used brass extensively.

Dai-dokei have the clock movement placed on open four legged stands so that they were at eye level for people seated on the tatami floor mats.  They were located in the tokonoma (alcove) of the Japanese living room.  Stands were ornate and decorative.  Large versions of the Dai-dokei were also made for use mainly in public places such as castles, corridors and entrance halls.

Example: Dai-dokei in author’s Collection.

c.1830 Lantern Clock signed on front right iron pillar ‘Kiyo Shige living Machi Yorozu Province of Tsu Ise 茂清住町万津伊勢’ – on carved wooden stand

Complete (except for hood) and fully functioning movement made entirely of iron with square top and bottom plates with four rectangular corner columns.  Brass front, side and rear panels engraved with foliage designs.  Twin foliots and deep domed cast bell, both supported by an iron column from the centre of top plate which is secured by a wedge.  The clock sits on a carved Japanese Ash stand.  Traditional Edo Period strike sequence of 9-1-8-2-7-1-6-2-5-1-4-2.  Alarm with ‘foliot style’ hammers and single verge escapement.  Alarm set by rotating inner brass dial and setting alarm time by locating with pin protruding from back of hour hand (24 positions).  Fixed lacquered black dial with gold plated chapter ring of Japanese Zodiac characters and numbers. Rotating brass hand.