noun
water-powered puppet; water-driven automaton; Edo-period water puppet show
Historical term for a puppet or mechanical device powered by falling water, and the show using it, popular in Edo-period Osaka. Now a cultural/historical reference.
江戸時代の大阪では、水機関を使った見世物が人気を集めた。
In Edo-period Osaka, shows using water-powered puppets were popular.
この資料館には、復元された水機関が展示されている。
A restored water-powered automaton is on display at this museum.
Compound of 水 (water) and 機関 (mechanism) or 絡繰り (mechanism). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the term refers to a water-driven puppet device from the Edo period.