Mysterious spinning stone in this new automaton by Kazuaki Harada

Elegance and ingenuity meet in this new automaton by Kazuaki Harada. I should also mention that the piece features some lovely dovetail joinery and more than a little mystery!

See more automata by Kazuaki Harada on his web site.

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The Emperor's New Clothes by Kazuaki Harada

Here is one of the latest automaton designs by artist Kazuaki Harada. I love the subtle timing of the arms and head!

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Bubble-blowing machine by Kazu Harada

I love the ingenuity and playfulness of this hand-cranked bubble-blowing machine by automaton-maker Kazu Harada! The piece is title Air Sculpture. One of these days, I'm going to have to figure out how to make a bellows like that.

Here is where you can see more pictures of the Air Sculpture automaton by Kazu Harada

[ Also published on the the excellent blog Spiel und Kunst mit Mechanik back in May of 2010. ]

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Teddy Bear automaton by Kazu Harada

Another clever and funny automaton by Kazu Harada!

Here is where you can learn a bit more about automaton-maker Kazu Harada.

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Spoon in space - automaton by Kazu Harada

Check out this hilarious automaton by Kazu Harada! Very clever.

See more automata by Kazu Harada on his web site.

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Decoy automaton by Kazu Harada

Check out this lovely and clever automaton by Kazu Harada. Now how, exactly, does the wooden duck hold and drop that egg? It's fun to ponder!

See more automata by Kazu Harada on his web site.

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Kazu Harada's Very Accurate Cat Automaton

You'll have to play the video to see why I say that this automaton of a cat is a fine piece of portraiture. I think this is a case of is art imitating life, but it could be the other way around!

See more of Kazu Harada's Automatons (or automata) at http://nizo.jp/

[ Thanks Sarah! ]

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Automaton Artist: Kazu Harada

The Automata / Automaton Blog is pleased to present you with Japanese automaton artist Kazu Harada.


After studying Art History at in college, Kazu worked mainly as a computer operator. He started making automata as a hobby in 2002. Last September, he traveled to England "to meet great automata makers and develop my automata making skills".

Kazu chose his destination wisely; he has been apprenticing with The Fourteen Balls Toy Company -- under master automata makers Paul Spooner and Matt Smith -- while studying at Falmouth University.

See Kazu Harada's Automata Gallery at nizo.jp.