絡から繰くる

yodan verb with 'ru' ending (archaic), transitive verb

manipulate; pull strings; devise a mechanism

Archaic transitive verb. Refers to operating a mechanical device or, figuratively, manipulating people or situations from behind the scenes. In modern Japanese, 操る (あやつる) is the common equivalent.

• からくり人にん形ぎょうを絡から繰くる職しょく人にんは、今いまではほとんどいない。

  There are almost no craftsmen left today who manipulate karakuri puppets.

yodan verb with 'ru' ending (archaic), transitive verb

control from the shadows

Archaic figurative use: to secretly control a person or situation. This sense is largely historical; modern Japanese uses 陰で操る or similar expressions.

• 悪あく代だい官かんが裏うらで村むら人びとを絡から繰くっていたという話はなしが伝つたわっている。

  A story has been passed down that a corrupt official was manipulating the villagers from behind the scenes.