automaton clock; marionette clock
A mechanical clock that features moving figures or puppets, often seen in historical or tourist contexts.
When the automaton clock in front of the station starts moving, a crowd gathers.
This automaton clock reproduces the technology of the Edo period.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading からくりどけい is common, with からくりとけい also used.
Ateji spelling using 絡繰り for からくり; rarely seen in modern usage.
Compound of からくり (mechanism, trick) and 時計 (clock). The exact origin of からくり is uncertain, but it likely relates to mechanical puppets or devices.