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The article examines the relationship of the mechanical puppets known as "karakuri ningyō" to modern robots. The karakuri ningyō were especially popular in 17th, 18th, and 19th century Japan, and have been seen in Western countries as forerunners of modern robots. After disavowing a direct connection, the article examines the puppets' technological development beginning as early as 784, and it relates how they were used, for example, to serve tea or in theatrical performances. The history of interest in the puppets as it was researched in Japan, is also discussed. The life of a well-known mechanical puppet designer, Tanaka Hisashige, is also mentioned, particularly because he also founded the company Toshiba.

The article introduces the theme of the journal, which is a comprehensive depiction of the development of robots in Japan since the 1950s from a cultural historical perspective.

Drawings of two Japanese mechanical puppets from 1730 are presented.