Gakutensoku: "Japan's First Robot!" and Kabura-ya

Gakutensoku (學天則, Japanese for "learning from the laws of nature"), the first robot to be built in Japan, was created in Osaka in 1929.

The robot was designed and manufactured by biologist Makoto Nishimura (1883-1956, father of actor Ko Nishimura). Nishimura had served as a professor at Hokkaido Imperial University, studied Marimo and was an editorial adviser to the Osaka Mainichi newspaper (now the Mainichi Shimbun).

Gakutensoku could change its facial expression and move its head and hands via an air pressure mechanism. It had a pen-shaped Signal arrow in its right hand and a lamp named Reikantō (霊感灯, Japanese for "inspiration light") in its left hand. Perched on top of Gakutensoku was a bird-shaped robot named Kokukyōchō (告暁鳥, Japanese for "bird informing dawn"). When Kokukyōchō cried, Gakutensoku's eyes closed and its expression became pensive. When the lamp shone, Gakutensoku started to write words with the pen.

Gakutensoku was displayed at some expositions in Japan, but was lost while touring Germany in the 1930s.

An asteroid, 9786 Gakutensoku, was named after the robot.
A modern version of Gakutensoku was produced in 2008 by the Osaka Science Museum where it is now on display.

Signal arrows, kabura-ya (鏑矢^?) (turnip-headed arrow), a type of arrow used by the samurai class of feudal Japan. Kabura-ya were arrows which whistled when fired ^[1]and were used in ritual archery exchanges prior to formal medieval battles. The sound was created by a specially carved or perforated bulb of deer horn or wood attached to the tip.

In battle, particularly around the time of the Heian period, kabura-ya would be fired before a battle, to alert the enemy. The whistling sound was also believed to chase away evil spirits, and to alert friendly kami to lend their support.