尺時計 shaku dokei (pillar clock), unknown maker from Japan

Artwork Overview

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尺時計 shaku dokei (pillar clock) , 1700–1800, Edo period (1600–1868)
Where object was made: Japan
Material/technique: wood; brass
Credit line: The Doctor Maurice L. Jones Collection
Accession number: 1952.0036.a,b
Not on display
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Temporal Turn: Art and Speculation in Contemporary Asia

On this time-telling device from Edo-period Japan, a key is inserted on the side of the pillar and moves along a vertical ruler measuring out the day according to shaku, roughly equivalent to 13 inches. On the shaku-dokei, the day is divided according to the twelve earthly branches called chishi in Japanese, which are a time-keeping system developed in ancient China.

Exhibitions

Temporal Turn: Art and Speculation in Contemporary Asia
Kris Ercums, curator
2016–2017